I’ve never really been much of a morning person. I love a lie-in and can easily rot away in bed until midday (or later) if left to my own devices.
Alas, this only really happens on weekends, as the rest of the time my alarm goes off at 6AM.
You can imagine then, that I struggle to get myself up and ready promptly each day. it usually takes a solid 30 minutes before I start feeling like a functioning human being.
So, when I heard there was a ‘lazy girl hack’ that might help me feel more awake in just 60 seconds, I jumped on it… literally.
TikToker Kathryn Smith recently went viral on TikTok for a video in which she revealed that jumping up and down for 60 seconds first thing in the morning had ‘changed her life’.
‘I am a lazy person by nature, I always have been, and I’m never going to do something I don’t want to do, how I’ve gotten to the point [in life] where I am now, has been baby steps,’ she explained.
‘The first thing I do is morning jumping. When I get out of bed, as soon as my feet touch the ground, I jump 50 times.’
Kathryn, a surgical athletic trainer, went on to claim that jumping helps to ‘increase the functions of our body’ as it increases blood flow, gets our heart rate up, and sends more oxygen to the brain.
More than 460,000 people liked her video, with thousands commenting to say they were going to give it a go, and as a sucker for a good TikTok trend (and a self-proclaimed lazy girl), I decided to join them.
So, for the last two weeks, I’ve jumped up and down 50 times every morning, and honestly, I do think it makes a real difference.
When I’m done, I feel more awake and alert than before – something usually only a big mug of tea can achieve at that time of day.
The jumps aren’t super high, I’m not leaping into the air High School Musical-style or anything, it’s more akin to a little bunny hop, really. My feet only just leave the ground.
Sure, it felt a bit silly to do this at first, but don’t knock it till you’ve tried it – the more you jump, the more you’ll start to enjoy it. I’ve found that it’s added a little whimsy to my morning, which is a bonus.
And even if you don’t enjoy it as much as me, it’s over in 60 seconds or less, which is what I love most about it. It takes hardly any time at all to do.
But is it really doing me any good, or is it some strange placebo effect? I asked a doctor for her thoughts on the jumping trend. Here’s what she had to say…
What does a doctor think?
Dr. Suzanne Wylie, a GP and medical advisor for IQdoctor, told Metro that jumping up and down can feel ‘energising’.
She explained: ‘The trend is generally safe for most healthy adults and can have some genuine physiological effects that might explain why people feel more awake afterwards.
‘When you jump repeatedly, even for just around a minute, several things happen in your body. Your heart rate rises, your breathing becomes slightly deeper and faster, and blood circulation improves. This combination increases oxygen delivery to your muscles and brain, which can create a short-term boost in alertness.
‘Essentially, it’s a mini cardio session, and even brief bursts of cardiovascular activity are known to stimulate the nervous system, release adrenaline, and improve mental focus. So while there might be a psychological “placebo” element, especially if you expect it to wake you up, the body is genuinely responding to exercise-related physiological changes.’
Dr. Wylie continues to say that moving your muscles in this way helps to ‘switch on’ your nervous system after sleep, making you feel ‘energised’.
Will you be giving this hack a go?
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Yes
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No
And it has several benefits outside of helping you wake up, too – including improving lymphatic flow and stimulating proprioception, which can improve balance and coordination over time, if you were to keep on jumping.
However, the expert warns that jumping up and down isn’t a good idea for everyone, as it will depend on your own individual health circumstances.
‘People with joint problems, particularly in the knees, ankles, or hips, may find the repeated impact uncomfortable or potentially harmful,’ she says.
‘Those with cardiovascular conditions, balance difficulties, or osteoporosis should approach this with caution or seek medical advice first. For most young, healthy adults, though, a minute of jumping is unlikely to cause harm and can be a fun way to “wake up” the body.’
She adds: ‘From a broader perspective, while this trend can provide a short-term boost in alertness, it doesn’t replace the foundational aspects of feeling awake and energetic in the morning, which include adequate sleep, hydration, exposure to natural light, and gradual movement or stretching.
‘Incorporating a brief burst of activity like this can complement those habits and make mornings feel more energising. In essence, it’s a safe, simple, and effective way to kick-start your day, provided you pay attention to your body’s limits.’
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