In high school, I valued my long fingers solely for their ability to set a volleyball well. I kept my fingernails short short short as to not interfere with my game and never gave them much thought until prom rolled around. But I always wanted my nails to be strong so they wouldn’t crack under the pressure of the ball. As I got older, I grew to appreciate my long fingers and the shape of my nails because they mirror my mom’s and great-grandmother’s fingers and nails. I’ve let my nails grow long and I’ve kept them cut back. I flip-flop on my preference, really. But what never changes is my desire to have strong nails; mostly because it hurts when I break a nail and my wimp-self wants to avoid even the slightest amount of physical pain at all costs.

So over the years, I’ve done lots of Googling and experimenting to determine how to grow strong nails, and here are my top nuggets!

1. Gelatin. Gelatin is very beneficial for our entire bodies, especially when it comes to healing our guts. But it’s also great for growing strong nails and hair, which is a very fortunate bonus. Gelatin contains many beneficial nutrients that are lacking in most of our diets. Its supply of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus are what contribute to such solid nails. I take gelatin in my tea each morning and also in homemade bone broth.
2. Essential Oils. Placing a blend of frankincense, myrrh, lemon, Idaho balsam fir, and citrus fresh on the nail can help support proper growth. Of course, always be sure to use high quality, organic, and therapeutic essential oils.
3. Stop Biting. For real. Do whatever it takes to break the habit. If you’re a bitter, find another outlet for nervous energy; this will save your nails!
4. File down. I find that, when my nails get too long, I always break them in terrible ways which means my nail ends up damaged. If I am vigilant and continue to file my nails down when needed, they are less likely to break.
5. Hydrate. Keeping the nails hydrated is key for strength. We can hydrate from the inside by drinking lots of water. On the outside, we can place a moisturizer (I always prefer coconut oil) on our nails and put socks over our hands during the night. It feels funny but really does aid in improvement!
6. Eat well. Back to the nutrients. We can’t fake what we don’t have; if our bodies are lacking the necessary vitamins and minerals to obtain strong nails, none of these other tactics will be of much use. By incorporating proper amounts of leafy greens, proteins, and healthy fats into our diet, we will not only be and feel healthier, but our nails will benefit as well.
7. Go naked. I like to have my nails painted. It gives me a sense of put-together-ness, no matter how false that might be. But it’s good to take breaks from the polish. The oxygen our nails receive by letting them be naked and breathe is imperative for strong and healthy growth.
8. Avoid harsh chemicals. Think about the materials your hands are immersed in on a daily basis. All of these have an effect on the health of our nails, for better or worse. We should avoid frequent exposure to harsh chemicals like store-bought cleaning products and toxic nail polish remover if we want to encourage the growth of our nails. The chemicals will otherwise eat away at our nails layer by layer.
9. Prenatal vitamins. Even if you’re not pregnant or nursing! Prenatal vitamins contain vitamins and minerals that support a developing life. Many of these same vitamins and minerals are what help support our health as adults, even down to the tips of our fingers 🙂
10. Stop jamming fingers. Oy. This one is my Everest. This is so easier said than done, I know, but it really is beneficial. When we jam our fingers, we risk breaking our nails uncleanly and therefore causing the layers to peel back. If we can be more careful when opening car doors  or carrying three kids at once, we’ll be in the clear!

Those are the ways I’ve found to be effective! But what about you? Do you like to grow your nails long or keep them short? Any other tips I’m missing?

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