Short on confidence? Well you shouldn’t be…

I met a random basketball team whilst working out in Geneva last week.
They made me feel like a little midget! This isn’t uncommon for me. I have a tall husband, an exceptionally tall brother, a tall sister in law and two tall brother in laws (one being 6ft 8inches).
And when met with a beautifully tall women, I instantly feel inadequate. (Which is odd as conversely when I am surrounded by lots of people much smaller than I am, I feel like Princess Fiona from Shrek. And sadly not in the Cameron Diaz Pixar form.)
Considering yourself short is often associated with low self esteems, feeling more vulnerable and frequently having greater rates of depression. This is especially true for males who are often mocked by friends and female counterparts for their (lack of) height.
Yet, there are so many medical benefits to being smaller than your average counterpart!
A large study in the University of Stockholm revealed that the risk of any type of cancer reduced by 11% for every 4 inches in height.
Those men that are above 6ft 2inches are more likely to develop DVTs (hence life threatening pulmonary embolisms) than men who are 5ft 8 inches. This risk is increased, however, for any height when obese.
Tall people actually live in the past (sort of).
Sensory receptors from the peripheries (hands and feet) have further to travel to deliver messages to the brain.
Burn your hands, feel something nice and snuggly or hold the hand of your partner…well you won’t appreciate the sensation as quickly as those with less height than you.
This example is clutching at straws somewhat, but I admit to feeling it’s presence in the list is my personal favourite.
Taller you are, more likely you are to suffer with musculoskeletal conditions such as herniated discs in your back or Osgood-Schlatters disease as a child.
All in all, there are benefits to every height.
Being small, well, dance the night away with a reduced chance of back pain in the morning!
Being tall, enjoy better views at concerts and propositioning for that upgrade on emirates with ‘medical grounds’ aka ‘I’m tall, please give me more leg room!’
And being middle of the pack. Enjoy not having everyone comment on your height at every opportunity (‘what’s the weather like up there?!)
#wellness #acceptance #life #height Dave Robbo #mydubai #basketball #health #normal #fitness #fitfamdubai