Struggling to open a stubborn jar lid is a common frustration, but a mathematician claims a simple breathing technique can make it effortless. Professor Hannah Fry, a mathematician and science communicator, shared a video on Instagram explaining that forcefully exhaling while twisting the lid is more effective than holding your breath.
Fry explains that most people instinctively inhale and hold their breath when attempting strenuous tasks, but this is not optimal for opening jars. The twisting motion requires stability from the shoulder and spine, which is provided by the internal obliques and transverse abdominis muscles. These same muscles are engaged during a forced exhale, effectively 'locking' the body's base of support and directing all energy to the jar.
The technique, which Fry describes as 'brains over brawn, breath over biceps,' has been endorsed by viewers who note its similarity to methods used in sports. For example, tennis players often vocalise during strokes, and martial artists use a 'kiai' shout to enhance power. Commenters on the video expressed eagerness to try the method, with some admitting they had previously resorted to risky tactics like using a knife under the lid.
