Copyright TODAY
A new TikTok wellness trend promises to permanently fix your blood pressure, bloating and lack of energy in the mornings. All you have to do is jump 50 times as soon as you wake up. Dozens of users on the platform have tried it, claiming that the practice has changed their lives. "I have more joy and happiness in my life as a result of this one small change," wrote one person. "Been doing this for 3 weeks now and my tummy became flatter, legs slimmer and inflammation seemed to reduce as well," commented another. The hype is clear, and for most people, there's no harm in trying it since jumping isn't likely to be harmful, experts tell TODAY.com. But is there science to back up the benefits people say they're seeing? Here's what to know. Jump 50 Times in the Morning Trend The trend is pretty straightforward: Right when you wake up, jump up and down 50 times. They don't have to be big jumps, based on the various TikToks of people trying it out. It's just enough to get your body moving. Self-declared "lazy girl" influencer Kathryn Smith posted in July about how it's helped her, pointing to benefits for circulation, the lymphatic system, increasing body temperature and more. (We'll break down some of these claims later.) "If you have the ability to jump, you should be doing that every single day," she said. Rita Baroudi, certified family nurse practitioner in clinical cardiac electrophysiology with the Orlando Health Heart and Vascular Institute, has been trying the trend herself. A "benefit that I particularly experienced was, if I woke up feeling sluggish or stressed out about the day ahead, it allowed me to shake my stress away and gave me a boost of energy without having to take a sip of coffee!" she tells TODAY.com. Some users have said the practice makes them feel more awake and ready to start the day. Others have said it even helps build muscle and with weight loss. While there is a "nugget of truth" to the positive reviews, "it's important to recognize that this is not a one-size-fits-all solution," Dr. John Vasudevan, sports medicine physician at Penn Medicine, tells TODAY.com. Does Jumping 50 Times Every Morning Have Benefits? Yes, there are some benefits to this trend, but it should only be one component of a complete workout regimen and overall healthy lifestyle, Vasudevan emphasizes. After all, it will only burn about 10-15 calories, and any benefits for your metabolism will be temporary, he says. Engaging Muscles Physical exercise of any kind comes with benefits, and jumping falls into the category of plyometrics, which uses intense bursts of energy to build speed and force. "You’re engaging your muscles to keep them ... away from atrophy," Vasudevan explains. "If your (cardiovascular) health is good enough, the more intensity you can put in, the faster the calorie burn, the quicker the return on investment." Boosting Circulation Because plyometric exercise causes your heart rate to suddenly spike, it stimulates circulation, Vasudevan says. "This is just a nice little way to kickstart your day and feel like you did something (to) get that boost of blood rush to your brain and feel like you’re warming up ... and (waking) up the mind." Lymphatic Drainage The lymphatic system functions as the "sewer system" of the body, Vasudevan says. "It’s there to take waste products from metabolism, waste products from your immune system fighting disease, and slowly but surely get it out of circulation, through your kidneys and out of your body." But the lymphatic system is "passive," he explains, so the waste products can "hang out" in the body. (This is) why movements like stretching, muscle contracting from jumping, or even lymphatic massage can help move the process along, Vasudevan adds. Who Should Not Try the Trend? If you're not already physically active, Vasudevan recommends starting slow with five or 10 jumps in the morning and building up your endurance instead of going right to 50. For older people who struggle with mobility, or anyone with a history of cardiac issues or problems maintaining their blood pressure, he advises speaking to a health care professional before trying the trend. Baroudi also discourages anyone with a fever or infection from trying it and encourages speaking with a doctor first if you have a history of blood clots, kidney disease or heart conditions. Other Ways to Get the Benefits of Jumping 50 Times While jumping will give you more health benefits in a shorter period because of its high intensity, there are other activities that can boost circulation, mood and lymphatic drainage in the morning. They just may be less efficient, Vasudevan says. These include: Yoga Pilates Squats, lunges or bringing your knees to your chest Stepping up and down on stairs Tai chi Walking Should I Try Jumping 50 Times in the Morning? If you don't have any health conditions or physical limitations that would make the activity risky, it's safe to try and could offer you some immediate health benefits, the experts say. "It is an excellent addition to anyone’s morning routine if they want to feel energized, less stressed or anxious, those who are generally sedentary and want to improve flexibility or movement, and those who suffer from frequent viral illness (especially during the cold and flu season)," says Baroudi. Vasudevan agrees that it can be "a really fast, efficient way (for) increasing your circulation, improving lymphatic drainage and just getting the muscles warmed up" and that you can get similar benefits any time of day. But he emphasizes that, like with many social media trends, it's not a miraculous health fix. "There’s no magic to doing it in the morning or the No. 50," he says. "(But) it's good to know that you need some level of stretching and plyometric activity somewhere in your day to help make you as agile as you need to be for life." You should also include running, cycling or other cardio, and strength training in your workout routine, he adds. "Social media is mostly there for inspiration, rather than information," he says. "If that sparks a conversation with your doctor about how jumping might fit into your overall health, hey, I’m all for it."
