You are taller in the morning!

The human body is an astonishing symphony of synchronised actions, a complex orchestra of millions of cells harmonising to orchestrate our daily functions. It’s a captivating notion to ponder, especially when you consider that this intricate system is at work every single day. Amid our unending exploration of how this marvellous vessel operates, there’s one topic that frequently emerges after discussions of weight – a topic that stands tall in curiosity: Our height.

Take a moment to reflect – have you ever noticed a peculiar phenomenon? A quirk that seems to transform you into a slightly loftier version of yourself come morning? The vast expanse of the Internet is brimming with accounts that suggest this ephemeral growth spurt as a natural morning gift. But is there a ring of truth to this intriguing notion? If so, how does it weave into the fabric of reality?

Blame it on the gravity

This phenomenon can be attributed to the effect of gravity compressing the cartilage within our spine and other parts of our body, like our knees, as we go about our daily activities of standing up and sitting down. During periods of rest while lying down, such as when we sleep, the spine is believed to undergo a ‘spreading out’ or decompression process. This is why we often wake up slightly taller in the morning after spending the night in bed.

Fascinatingly, astronauts returning from space experience a similar change. The reduced gravitational forces in space cause their spines to elongate, making them a few inches taller than their usual height on Earth. However, once they return to Earth, the influence of gravity gradually brings them back to their original height. While the increase in height during the morning is generally only around one cm (1), it’s a sufficient change for some individuals to playfully claim a different height when talking to their family and friends.

Learn more from the expert

Delving into the mechanics of this occurrence, Dr Ankit Batra, an adept in the realm of orthopaedic surgery from Sharda Hospital told indianexpress.com, as we stand tall, an unrelenting force called gravity plays its part, gently compressing the discs nestled within our spine. The consequence? These once-plump cushions flatten, surrendering a minuscule measure of our height to the ether.

But the story doesn’t end there – as we traverse the day’s adventures, shouldering life’s weighty responsibilities, this compression becomes a relentless companion.

So, step by step, moment by moment, it accrues, akin to the incremental notes of a symphony building towards its grand crescendo. Therefore, when the curtain falls on the day’s performance, we find ourselves a fraction smaller than when we first stepped onto the stage of dawn.