A strange reason why we are taller in the morning

Have you ever noticed that when you wake up in the morning you seem taller than when you go to bed at night? It is a strange phenomenon, but there is a scientific explanation behind this strange phenomenon. Although it may seem counterintuitive, your height can change throughout the day and it all depends on how our bodies work.

The Secret of the Spine

The key to understanding why we are taller in the morning lies in the structure of our spine. The spine is made up of a series of vertebral discs, which are like little cushions or shock absorbers located between each of our vertebrae. These discs are crucial in providing support and flexibility to our spine.

During the day, as we go about our normal activities, our spinal discs are compressed by the force of gravity and the weight of our upper bodies. This compression causes the discs to lose some of their water content, making them slightly flatter and thinner. As a result, our overall height decreases as the day progresses.

The magic of sleep

This is where the magic happens. When we sleep at night, our bodies go into a state of rest and repair. During this time, the pressure on our spinal discs is greatly reduced as we lie in a horizontal position and the force of gravity on our spine is greatly reduced.

When we sleep, our spinal discs rehydrate and regain some of the fluids they lost during the day. This rehydration causes the discs to swell and return to their natural state. As a result, when we wake up in the morning, we find that we are slightly taller than we were the night before.

Morning section

Another factor that contributes to our increased height in the morning is stretching. When we wake up, it is common to stretch our limbs and arch our back, especially after hours of immobility during sleep. This stretch can temporarily lengthen our spine and contribute to a sense of increased height.

The role of exercise

Exercise can also play a role in this phenomenon. Engaging in physical activities such as jogging, yoga, or even walking can temporarily decompress your spinal discs and increase your height during the day. This is why you may find that you feel taller after a workout.

Although it may seem strange that we are taller in the morning, it is simply a result of how our bodies work. The compression and decompression of our spinal discs during the day, along with the effects of sleep and stretching, contribute to this interesting phenomenon. So the next time you wake up feeling like you've grown overnight, know that it's not magic, but rather the remarkable workings of your body's anatomy.