Whether it's because you're still growing, have a growth-reducing medical condition, or simply are smaller or shorter than the average person your age; unfortunately small stature can be a source of shame, hardship or oppression for many. However, it really doesn't have to be like that. Small stature can be perfectly normal as well as attractive or advantageous in many situations. Learn how to deal with it by understanding how to take advantage of your size and deal with the criticism associated with it.
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Method 1 of 3: Dealing with Negative Criticism about Your Body Size
Step 1. Realize that the problem is not your size
Be aware that it is other people who are not confident in their own size or appearance who criticize or oppress and argue that your actual size is not a problem.
- Understand that other people may treat you badly about your size because they have been treated badly too. They think that this is normal or acceptable because of interactions with their friends or family, or because they perceive a smaller body size as less attractive according to television shows, movies or the internet.
- Imagine if no one commented on your size or treated you badly for it. Are you still going to have problems with your own body size? This can help you understand that other people are creating the problem, not your small size. Is there anything you love about being petite?
Step 2. Respond to bullies or critics who treat you badly because of your size
Let them know that you don't like it when they make bad comments about your size, instead of accepting it in silence.
- Deal with the bully or critic as friendly as possible, without cursing at them or getting angry as this will only encourage them to insult you again.
- For example, to someone who pats you on the head and comments about your size, you can kindly ask them to stop. To anyone who says negative things about how small you are, you can calmly explain that "I'm actually really happy to have a tiny body like this." or "Actually, I'm small due to medical problems, so please don't make fun of it".
- If you don't think you can safely respond to a bully's words, or if someone threatens you with physical violence or other serious assault, ask your parents, teachers, mentors, police, or anyone you trust for help.
Step 3. Get help from other people
Ask for help from someone you trust if you can't deal with someone who attacks or hurts you with words or actions regarding your tiny body. Always report to the police if someone hurts you or threatens to physically harm you.
- If you are a child, go to a parent, teacher, mentor, or other trusted adult and explain the situation to them.
- If you are an adult, talk to a friend, mentor, therapist or human resources department at your office if this is an issue with a coworker.
- Find friends or even other celebrities or role models who are also small as a source of inspiration, guidance or even as an example to use when talking to others.
Step 4. Move with confidence
Avoid negative comments from others by showing confidence in all your actions. Stand tall with your chin up and don't be afraid to take up space when you walk, stand or sit.
- Showing physical self-confidence has the other benefit of increasing the size of your appearance. Staring at the floor, feeling gloomy and not wanting to take up too much space are all manifested in a posture that looks smaller with stooped shoulders, lowered head, etc.
- Make and maintain eye contact with other people, stand still with both legs straight facing the other person, and speak and walk slowly and steadily. All of this is subtle body language that expresses confidence.
Method 2 of 3: Increase Body Size in a Healthy Way
Step 1. Follow your doctor's advice
Consult a doctor if you are concerned about your inability to gain weight, grow taller or if you already know that you have a condition that prevents these things. Follow your doctor's advice on the best ways to treat, supplement or live with something that affects your size.
- Ask about possible nutritional deficiencies or other common conditions that could affect your weight loss or ability to gain weight, especially if you have other unusual symptoms.
- Always consult a doctor before starting any physical activity or diet to try to gain height or weight.
Step 2. Eat a balanced diet
Consumption of healthy, nutritious foods on a regular basis and in accordance with existing dietary or health restrictions.
- Count the calories you eat in a typical day and increase the number by 200 to 500 calories per day to start gaining weight if recommended by a dietitian. Just make sure not to add calories from processed foods that are not nutritious (aka junk food).
- Consume protein from foods such as meat, eggs and beans. Focus on complex carbohydrates from foods such as rice, whole grains and potatoes. Get healthy fats from olive oil, coconut oil and avocado.
- Try to eat five smaller meals throughout the day, or eat small meals between main meals to make sure you're getting enough calories.
Step 3. Exercise to build muscle
Head to the gym or use exercise equipment at home to build strength and health and build healthy muscle mass.
- Don't forget to watch fitness videos and instructions for using exercise equipment at home and get guidance from a fitness center staff or personal trainer, to ensure that you have the right posture when using weights.
- Strength training should consist of eight to 12 repetitions for each of eight to ten different exercises that target different areas of your body. Do this type of exercise at least twice a week to get started.
- Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine. Also remember that you don't need to exercise to reach a specific goal or get a big body size; exercising can easily make you feel happy and achieve overall health.
Step 4. Accentuate height with clothes
Wear clothes that fit your body and have long stripes to help accentuate your height and enhance your petite body.
- When shopping for women's clothing, try to look for bell-bottom pants, vertical stripes, and v-neck tops to make your body appear longer.
- Be aware that high heels can temporarily make you look and feel taller, but it's a good idea to try to accept your size for what it is.
- When shopping for menswear, try monochrome outfits and opt for sleek cuts for shirts and pants. V-necked T-shirts are also a good choice.
- Smaller women can shop in the "small size" section of some department stores, while men can buy brands like Peter Manning to find clothes that fit without the need for further tailoring.
Method 3 of 3: Making the Most of Your Small Body
Step 1. Join a sport like gymnastics or wrestling
Ask how you can join a team through a local school or club that accepts new athletes. There are many sports and activities that can be mastered well especially by small people.
- Join sports such as wrestling, boxing, martial arts, dance, gymnastics, weightlifting, horse racing, and a variety of positions in other sports where being small is an advantage or a necessity.
- People who are smaller are usually adept at these activities because of a lower center of gravity and/or an increased ability to move the body more easily and quickly.
Step 2. You can fit in small spaces
Use your small size to fit comfortably into small places, whether it's just for fun or out of necessity.
- As a small person you can move through crowds more easily, and people may also let you stand in front of them at concerts or other events when you might have trouble seeing because of taller people.
- You can fit into tighter spaces and get more legroom in planes, cars or other forms of transportation that don't usually provide much personal space.
- You can excel when playing hide and seek or other games where you need to be able to hide yourself better than other players.
Step 3. Stand out in the crowd
Accept your body size as something that sets you apart from other people; something you will appreciate more and more as you get older or as you work to build a reputation in a particular field or group.
Use your small or short size to stand out in areas such as acting, dancing, and other career fields that may focus on appearance. You can stand out from other people of average height who are pursuing the same thing. You can even build a personal brand from a unique body size
Step 4. You can save money by buying children's clothes and get discounts for children
As you grow older, enjoy some of the benefits of looking younger that can get you kids discounts and other benefits.
- Shop in the children's section of clothing stores to get clothes that fit better on your body and save money by buying cheaper clothes.
- Ask about discounts for children or younger visitors at museums, cinemas, and other places. Even if you don't meet the maximum age limit, you may be mistaken for a younger than your actual age and therefore qualify for a discount.
Step 5. Enjoy the various health benefits associated with a petite body
Be aware that in a number of studies short people have actually been shown to enjoy a variety of other health benefits.
- Benefit from reduced cancer risk due to smaller body size. This may happen simply due to the fact that shorter people have fewer cells in their bodies, or require less energy intake.
- Being able to avoid blood clotting complications which are two and a half times more prone to occur in taller and larger people because of the long distance that blood has to travel to circulate in the body.
- Potential to live longer as a short person, because the hormones that control height also regulate the aging process.
