- Valerie Bertinelli does 50 morning jumps to boost energy and blood flow.
- Jumping may support bone density, and exercise may help improve overall vascular health.
- Experts say consistency and enjoyment matter most in any morning movement routine.
Celebrities have been sharing their morning routines with EatingWell for quite some time, and something we hear often is how much celebs like to get outside when starting their day. From Elizabeth Banks’s morning dog walks to Kelsea Ballerini’s coffee time on her porch, things like morning light and time spent in nature can be really good for you, so it’s no surprise that fresh air and sunlight are important ingredients in a good morning routine.
Actor Valerie Bertinelli recently took to Instagram to share a fun outdoor addition she’s made to her own morning routine. The Bingo Blitz host and The Drew Barrymore Show correspondent posted a reel sharing that while she waits for her morning coffee to brew, she heads outside for a quick session of jumping and stretching.
“The Google says when you jump 50 times or for one minute in the morning, it can increase your blood flow, support bone density and stimulate your lymphatic system, which helps to flush toxins,” Bertinelli writes in her post, which includes a video of her doing her morning jump routine outside. “It’s a quick way to transition the body from rest to activity, up your energy and set in some positivity for the day.”
Bertinelli’s morning jump-fest looks fun and energizing, but does jumpstarting (pun intended) your morning really have health benefits? Well, exercise can be a great way to get your blood pumping first thing in the morning, and research suggests that regular exercise can be great for your overall vascular health, helping your arteries stay strong and dependable as you get older.
While there are fewer studies regarding jumping specifically, some researchers have connected jumping to improved bone density. A small 2015 study found that both jumping and resistance training were associated with better bone density, while another study from 2015 observed that women improved their bone density by jumping 40 times each day for 16 weeks.
As for lymphatic drainage, the evidence is a bit slimmer. While exercise in general may help your lymphatic system stay in tip-top shape, there isn’t all that much evidence to support jumping as a way to kick lymphatic drainage into high gear. We asked our senior nutrition editor, Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, to break it down for us.
“Jumping, or any type of aerobic and resistance training, can be helpful for bone density as you age, and increasing your heart rate can increase your blood flow,” Ball says. “But our livers are required to remove toxins from our bodies. Luckily, they do this naturally and all on their own (if you have a fully-functioning liver), so you don’t have to worry about it!”
The main thing to consider before you start hopping each morning is whether you enjoy it, Ball adds.
“If you find something you enjoy, you’re more likely to stick with it for the long haul,” she says. “Consistency over time is what leads to lasting health benefits.”
Still, if jumping your way to better health isn’t your cup of tea, Bertinelli has shared lots of healthy recipes over the years that are worth checking out. From her vitamin and mineral-packed hasselback sweet potatoes to her anti-inflammatory chia pudding, one thing’s for certain: Bertinelli is always sharing something fun and inspiring from her health journey, and that’s worth jumping about.
