Everyone reading this may have wanted to be even taller than they are, no matter what their age. While it is believed that people stop growing in terms of height at the end of their teenage years, it is still possible to grow taller even late into adulthood.
Sleep is a great tool for doing just that! While you are sleeping, physically, you might be resting, but your body is still awake and still functions!
Sleeping helps rejuvenate cells and processes in your body and also improves blood flow. Similarly, it can also aid in helping you grow taller! How, you may ask?
Sleeping in certain specific positions can actually help you grow a few inches taller! This article elaborates on the perfect sleeping positions to help you do just that.
How Does Sleep Affect Your Height?
Adolescents produce a large quantity of growth hormone during deep sleep, which has a major impact on their development. Growth hormone is important for the maintenance of bone density and muscular mass, even in adulthood.
So, it follows that achieving the best possible conditions for sleep may result in the most growth hormone production. Sleep affects your height in the following ways:
It Aids in Bone Formation
Usually, bone formation and renovation depend on your age, the strength of your immune system, medications you might be on, hormone production in your body, etc.
If you’re not sleeping well enough, your immune system might weaken, and the processes that result in bone formation will also be affected as a result.
This might result in weak bones and the inability of bones to repair and regrow, low bone density, and increased risk of fractures, etc.
Not getting enough sleep can also lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis and decreased melatonin levels.
Intervertebral Disc
Intervertebral discs are found between each spinal joint. It basically works as a shock absorber and helps the spinal cord move efficiently.
When we’re awake, the disc is located between the spinal joints, which might make us seem shorter than we actually are. But while we’re asleep, the disc returns to its usual position and recovers.
Growth Hormones
The most important hormone in the human body, the growth hormone, is produced in our body when we’re asleep. It is released by the pituitary gland into the bloodstream, and as the name suggests, it helps grow muscles, bones, and metabolism.
But, the catch is, the growth hormone cannot miraculously help grow things without support from external factors! Sleep, good nutrition, and regular exercise also aid the growth hormone in a great way.
Optimizing Sleep for Height Growth: Exploring 5 Ideal Sleeping Positions
Genetics are important when it comes to height, but your sleeping positions and habits also play an important role in helping you grow taller. In this section, we’ll elaborate on 5 of the best sleeping positions that’ll definitely show you results through increased well-being and improved posture!
Fetal Position
This sleeping position is a widely adopted one, and it can be achieved by lying on your side and drawing your knees close to your chest. Variations exist, such as putting your hand underneath a pillow or your head, but it is not necessarily required.
This sleeping position helps your spine maintain its natural shape and thus improves your posture. Thus, along with growing taller, you’ll also experience reduced back pain and better circulation.
Relationship Sleep Posture
Sleeping on one’s side is commonly preferred, but it can also wrongly align your spine if not done correctly. Curling your head or tilting it forward can result in spinal curvature.
Placing a pillow between your knees really helps readjust the alignment of your spine, and this position is referred to as the relationship position because it mimics the positions couples sleep in while cuddling. It also helps realign your hips and provides relief from hip discomfort.
Starfish Supination
Sleeping on one’s back is far less common than the sleeping positions described above, but it is also incredibly beneficial in realigning the spine. It also helps alleviate discomfort stemming from neck, shoulder, and back pain.
People who sleep on their backs have been found to develop fewer wrinkles than people who sleep on their sides, as their skin is less stretched during sleep.
Soldier Straightening Back Posture
This position basically means sleeping on one’s back and having one’s arms rest by your side, like mimicking a soldier walking at a parade. It is also an uncommon sleeping position, but it works wonders for your spinal health!
Some cons of this position include increased snoring and worsening sleep apnea.
It effectively stretches the spine and the neck, and you can increase the amount of benefits you reap by placing a small pillow underneath your knees. Reducing wrinkles and snoring and alleviating mucus buildup are a few of the many benefits this sleeping position offers.
Sleeping on Your Side
Lying straight without curling your body is the last variation of the sleeping positions! Sleeping on either side has its own benefits, such as benefits in digestion and gas buildup being reduced when sleeping on your left side and reduction in back pain and improving sleep apnea when sleeping on your right side.
Switching sides as needed is recommended, but maintaining a straight posture without curling is crucial, as this tiny adjustment can result in you growing taller and having a better spinal alignment.
Factors that Support Growth During Sleep
Here are some factors that will support your growth during sleep:
Quality Mattress and Pillow
Investing in a mattress and pillow is important for optimizing your sleeping position. A high-quality mattress that offers support for your spine and evenly distributes your weight can greatly contribute to health.
Similarly, a supportive pillow ensures that your neck remains in a position, reducing the chances of discomfort and promoting growth.
Maintain A Consistent Sleep Schedule
Maintaining a sleep schedule is crucial for maximizing growth during sleep. Strive for a sleep routine, ensuring that you get the recommended amount of sleep based on your age group. Irregular sleeping patterns can disrupt the release of growth hormones, potentially affecting growth potential.
Create A Relaxing Sleep Environment
Creating a soothing sleep environment plays a role in achieving quality rest and promoting growth. Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet to create conditions for sleep. Consider using blackout curtains, earplugs, or even a white noise machine to eliminate any disturbances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it true that sleeping can contribute to increased height?
When you sleep, your body produces growth hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormones, which play a role in the development of your bones. If you don’t get sleep, it can potentially hinder your growth. Therefore, ensuring an adequate amount of sleep is important for height improvement.
Can sleeping with your legs straight make you taller?
Indeed, sleeping on your back, with a pillow placed under your knees, might be beneficial. It can help align your spine and prevent any discomfort or backaches that may result from sleeping in a position.
Are there any age restrictions when it comes to using sleeping positions for height enhancement?
While sleeping positions can have some impact on height, the potential for height increase tends to decrease with age.
How long should I maintain a sleeping position before I start seeing results?
There is no timeframe for observing results through the use of sleeping positions. Consistency over some time is more important than the duration of each session.
Wrapping Up
While genetics do play an important role in determining your height, sleep habits and positions can maximize your potential for growth! Spinal alignment and support are focused on by sleeping positions which allow your body to take maximum advantage of the growth hormone released during deep sleep.
Apart from this, individual factors such as age, genetics, overall health, etc., play an important role in determining height. Healthy sleeping habits, nutrition, and regular exercise are also important for holistic development.
These sleeping positions, when incorporated into your bedtime routine with a quality mattress and a consistent sleep schedule, can really benefit your growth potential!
