Health: Jumping in the morning could help you wake up better, make you feel more alert

Ever feel groggy and unmotivated in the morning? One woman has a solution which might help put some spring in your step.

Kathryn Smith, an American surgical athletic trainer, posted a video on social media titled “free way I’ve changed my life”, where she explains that she jumps 50 times right after she wakes up.

Smith said your brain needs oxygen first thing in the morning, and increasing your heart rate and blood flow by jumping up and down helps achieve that.

“[Your] coldest core temperature is two hours before you wake up, so we want to increase that temperature to increase the functions of our body,” Smith explained.

@kathhrynsmithh

Jumpstart Your Day (Literally) Jumping first thing in the morning boosts: Blood flow + oxygen to your brain Lymphatic drainage (especially in your calves!) Core body temp to shake off grogginess Bone density through gentle impact Energy + mood via endorphin release #MorningRoutine #LymphaticHealth #Jumpstart #CirculationBoost #NaturalEnergy

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Primary care sports medicine physician Dr Hazim Moustafa told the New York Post that moving around early in the morning is beneficial to the body.

“Psychologically, it helps set the tone for a more focused, motivated and productive day, signalling to your body and brain that it’s time to wake up and get started.

“Physiologically, it increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to your brain, which can help you feel more alert,” he added. “Exercise also raises body temperature, which can further increase circulation and help the body transition from a resting state.”

Smith went on to say in her TikTok video that jumping first thing in the morning also helps pump fluid around the lymphatic system, which is important for flushing out waste, fighting infection, maintaining fluid balance and having a healthy immune response, according to the New York Post.

“So you’re pumping that lymphatic fluid immediately after being horizontal for, hopefully, at least eight hours”, said Smith.

The system relies on external movement to keep fluid flowing, as it has no pump like the heart does, the outlet reported.

Moustafa said the boost to lymphatic flow from 50 jumps in the morning is “just a modest one” and that better benefits are achieved from consistent movement throughout the day.

The morning jumps aren’t a magic bullet, but they are a simple and effective way to build towards a structured exercise habit, he said.

Smith also listed an increase in bone density as a benefit of the habit.

Moustafa said jumping can increase bone density, but that meaningful results are achieved in structured high-impact programmes, over the course of weeks, rather than casual jumping.