Many people are unsatisfied with their current height, and wish that they were taller. This may be to excel in a sport like basketball or volleyball, to look leaner and more attractive, or simply because they are tired of being the "short" guy or having to wear "petite" clothing. Whatever the reason they have for wanting to get taller, there are several ways to naturally increase height.

One way to increase your height is to change your diet. A shortage of protein, calcium, and nutrients can stunt growth or cause soft bones and loss of muscle, making you look shorter. On the other hand, a balanced and nutritious diet will promote growth and give you strong, healthy bones and muscles and help you grow tall. Be sure to get plenty of protein and calcium each day.

One important part of a healthy diet for growth is to eat smaller, regular meals. Eating too much at one time can cause your body to make too much insulin, which will keep it from releasing the proper amount of Human Growth Hormone. It is good to eat several meals throughout the day, about 4-5 hours apart, and at least 3-4 hours before going to sleep. This gives your body time to digest all of the food and keeps your insulin and hormone levels in balance.

Another way to increase height is to do exercises with will strengthen and lengthen your bone and muscle fibers, and which will help support good posture so that you appear taller. Stretching activities such as yoga & pilates are good for this, as is swimming. Sports such as jumping rope, basketball, and volleyball are also good, because the jumping helps promote bone and muscle growth. Sports like kickboxing help to lengthen the leg bones through kicking and balance exercises.

Sleep is also an important part of growth. When you are asleep, your body releases hormones that promote growth and heals from the stresses of the day. Not getting enough rest can both stunt growth and keep your body from benefiting fully from any exercises you may have done. It helps to sleep stretched out as much as possible, with your spine in a straight line. This will require a good firm mattress that does not sag, and either a pillow that will hold your neck straight or sleeping without a pillow.

It may surprise some to find that their lifestyle can have such an effect of their height, but the proper combination of nutrition, exercise, and rest should help you get taller and improve your posture easily and naturally.