Tapering for Dummies

Tapering is when something gradually becomes smaller or narrower over time. It's like when you take a thick piece of string and you slowly start to pull on each end, making it thinner and thinner. The process of tapering can happen with objects, like a candle that tapers at one end, or even with haircuts, where the hair is cut shorter at the sides and gradually gets longer towards the top.

Now, let's imagine you have a big ice cream cone filled with your favorite flavor. As you start eating it, what happens? The ice cream gradually becomes smaller and narrower as you lick away at it, right? Well, that's tapering!

But wait, there's another meaning of tapering too!

When we talk about tapering in relation to exercise or physical activity, it means gradually reducing the intensity or amount of exercise over time. It's like going for a long run and then slowly starting to jog, then walk, until you ultimately stop. This method of gradually reducing intensity is commonly used by athletes before a competition to help their bodies rest and recover.

So, we can say that tapering can refer to both physical objects gradually becoming smaller or narrower, as well as the gradual reduction of exercise intensity. It's all about things gradually getting smaller, narrower, or less intense over time!