Growth Spurts & Growing Pains

What’s a Growth Spurt?

A growth spurt is when your body grows really fast in a short amount of time. It usually happens during puberty, and it can feel like your body is changing overnight.

Here’s what you might notice:

• You’re suddenly taller 
• Your hands and feet usually grow first (hello, new shoe size!), then your arms and legs, and finally your spine and hips.
• Your clothes and shoes don’t fit anymore
• Your arms and legs feel longer or awkward
• You feel clumsier than usual

Don't be anxious if you seem to have grown a lot in a very short space of time or feel awkward around friends or boys, it’s a fact that girls experience their growth spurts before boys do, but once growth starts for them, they often grow taller than us.

What Are Growing Pains?

Growing pains are those annoying aches you might feel in your legs, arms, or thighs, especially at night.

They’re not dangerous, and they don’t mean anything is wrong. It’s just your muscles and joints adjusting to your fast-growing body.

What they feel like:

• A dull ache or throb in your legs or knees
• Soreness in your arms or thighs
• Usually worse in the evening or after a busy day

No one knows exactly why they happen, but they’re super common during growth spurts.

How to Deal with Growing Pains

Here are some easy ways to feel better when your body’s feeling sore:

• Stretch it out – Gentle stretching before bed can help relax your muscles.
• Warm baths – A soak in the tub can ease tension and help you sleep.
• Massage – Take some time before bed to gently rub or massage the sore spots.
• Stay active – Light exercise like walking or yoga can keep your muscles strong and flexible.
• Rest when you need it – It’s okay to take it easy if your body’s feeling tired.

Tips to Help with Clumsiness

Feeling clumsy lately? That’s normal during a growth spurt! Your body’s changing fast, and your brain’s still catching up. Here are some quick tips to help:

• Don’t overthink it – Everyone feels awkward sometimes. Focus on what you’re doing, not what others might think.
• Tidy your space – Keep your room clear of stuff on the floor to avoid tripping.
• Look before you move – Take a second to check your surroundings before walking or standing up.
• Wear comfy shoes – Stick to flats if you’re feeling off-balance.
• Get enough sleep – Being tired can make you more accident-prone.
• Try balance exercises – Stand on one foot or do some light stretching to help your body adjust.

And remember—everyone has clumsy moments. Don’t stress about it!

How Tall Will I Be?

You might be wondering how tall you’ll end up. While your genes (what you inherit from your family) play a big part, that doesn’t mean you’ll be the exact same height as your parents or siblings. Everyone grows at their own pace, and no two people are exactly alike!

Other things that can help you reach your full height include:

• 🥦 Eating healthy – Nutritious foods give your body the fuel it needs to grow.
• 😴 Getting enough sleep – Your body does a lot of growing while you’re asleep!
• 🏃 Staying active – Exercise helps keep your bones and muscles strong.

Even though you can’t control your final height, taking care of your body helps you grow to your full potential. And remember—being tall, short, or somewhere in between is all totally normal!