Myth Or Fact — Are We Taller In The Morning?

Human body is a fascinating subject and is full of surprises. One intriguing fact is how our height subtly changes throughout the day. Confused? As weird as this sounds, the science behind it is quite fascinating. Our height isn’t fixed throughout the day and factors like gravity and spinal disc dynamics come into play to affect the height difference. You might be thinking, are we taller in the morning, really? And if so, how much taller are you in the morning than at night?

Short answer: yes, we are taller in the mornings and our heights differ in the nighttime. The reasoning behind it isn’t that simple. Therefore, as an avid researcher and writer, I decided to separate fact from fiction to find out if there is any truth to this intriguing phenomenon.  

Curious to know how this works? Let’s understand the diurnal or daily height changes throughout the day, from morning to evening. 

Are We Actually Taller In The Morning? 

When we wake up in the morning, we rarely think about our height. You never stop and think if you woke up taller or shorter. But our body is amazing, isn’t it? The more you read about the anatomy, the more astonishing revelations will come to light. The curious case of fluctuating heights was one such revelation for me. But seriously, does height fluctuate? Let’s dive deep into the subject. 

According to studies, every human being is slightly taller in the morning, around 1-2cms (0.4-0.8 inches). The height goes back to normal in the evening. A total of 90 subjects were randomly sampled. Weight and Height measurements were taken twice a day between 5.30-7.30am and 5-7pm. 

The study found that there was a significant reduction in the height of the participants, around 2.7 cm, between 7 AM and 7 PM. However, the study found that from 7 PM to 7 AM the height of the subjects increased and it is this time of the day you are the tallest. There was a greater height loss in males (1.63 cm) than in females (1.59 cm). 

Another study assessed the height of 478 children. Their heights were measured twice daily between 9.00-10.00 am and 3.00-4.00 pm. They found that the difference only ranged between +1.8 to -2.7 cm. So, it’s not like you are 2 inches taller in the morning. The difference isn’t magnanimous. You can try measuring height in the morning to see if it’s true.

The increase and decrease will be minimal and this fluctuation is majorly caused by gravity and spinal disc dynamics. Other factors like hydration and how we maintain our posture throughout the day also play a part. This height isn’t static. As we go on about our day, the height also goes back to what it was.

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Why Are We Taller In the Morning Than In The Evening? 

Humans are generally taller in the morning because of two main reasons:

1. Spinal compression and decompression

If studies are to be believed, the spine is composed of vertebrae separated by intervertebral discs, which act as cushions. During the day, the pressure from gravity and daily activities compresses these discs. This slightly reduces the height and we go back to our true heights. 

Do we get taller when we sleep? Yes, at night, when we are laying down and when we are at a resting position, the pressure is relieved. This allows the discs to rehydrate and expand which is why our heights look like they’ve increased when we wake up in the morning. Hence, morning is the time of the day you are the tallest. 

2. Gravity 

Another reason why our height changes through the day and night is because of gravity. Researchers claim that during the day, as we carry out everyday activities like standing, walking, and sitting, gravity exerts a downward force on the spine.

This causes the intervertebral discs (the cartilage-like cushions between the vertebrae) to compress and lose some of the fluid they absorb while we rest. As a result, our overall height decreases slightly by evening. That’s why it’s called the space height. 

When astronauts travel to outer space, they temporarily grow a few inches taller due to the absence of Earth’s gravitational pull. This compresses their spines and they end up growing a few centimeters tall. However, when they come back to earth, gravity gradually compresses their spines once again and they come back to their usual height. 

Do We Shrink During The Day? 

The taller in the morning myth is indeed true but how much do you shrink throughout the day? You don’t shrink but you go back to your usual height. You lose morning height. That’s it. When you wake up, your spine is straight. However, as you go about your daily activities, your posture changes and your spine compresses due to circadian variation in human stature. As a result, the height is shorter. 

In addition to that, young people often experience greater fluctuations due to more elastic and hydrated discs, whereas older adults may have less noticeable changes as their discs degenerate with age​. 

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Can We Maintain The Morning Height?

It’s not possible to maintain the morning height. However, we can try to minimize the height loss that occurs during the day by doing the following things:

• Staying hydrated: Staying hydrated ensures that your body performs properly. It is good for the discs as it maintains flexibility and reduces spinal compression. 
• Practicing good posture: Be mindful about your posture. An improved posture will help reduce spinal compression. 
• Stretching and yoga: Practice stretching exercises that can help in elongating your spine like cobra pose or upward stretch. 
• Exercising: Practice exercises that will enhance your alignment, strengthen your muscles, and support your spine.  
• Sleep Properly: Sleeping in a proper posture can be helpful. Use mattresses and pillows which can assist in proper spinal alignment and reduce extra stress on your back.

The above methods won’t completely keep your morning height intact but they can reduce how much height decreases throughout the day.

Popular Remedies To Increase Height 

According to science, 80% of our height is determined by our genes. If your parents are tall, the child will be tall. That’s how it works. But lifestyle factors like nutrition, hormones, lifestyle, exercise, and posture can have a small influence, especially when a child is growing. Here are some things you can try to increase your height naturally:

• Having a balanced nutrition 
• Improving your posture
• Getting adequate sleep 

Do not fall into the trap of height increasing pills and bone lengthening surgeries. They come with several risks and complications that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Conclusion 

The idea that we are taller in the morning is not a myth, it is a scientific fact. We grow a few cm tall while sleeping. But gravity and midday slouching on the sofa shrinks us down. Thus, the next time when you get out of bed and feel like you’ve grown taller, you are not being delusional. It’s human anatomy! 

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