If you've ever wrestled with a stubborn jar lid, a Cambridge University professor has a scientific solution that requires brains, not brawn. Mathematics professor Hannah Fry has gone viral on TikTok explaining a simple breathing technique that can help anyone open even the most tightly sealed containers.
The 'Breath Over Biceps' Method
In a recent social media video, Professor Fry demonstrated what she calls a 'scientifically legitimate trick' that eliminates the struggle. Holding a jar aloft, she advised viewers to 'forcibly breathe out' while twisting the lid. She emphasised that this approach means you 'will never have to struggle again' and doesn't rely on physical strength.
The method is surprisingly straightforward: take a deep breath in, hold it to fill your lungs with air, and then perform a forced exhalation as you apply torque to the lid. This simple act of breathing correctly provides the stability your body needs to channel energy directly into opening the jar.
The Science Behind the Stability
Professor Fry explained the fascinating biomechanics behind why this technique works so effectively. 'Your arm is this floppy little noodle that's lolling around all over the place and it's attached to your torso, which is also extremely floppy,' she described.
This inherent floppiness means your arm expends significant energy just stabilising itself – energy that should be dedicated to twisting the lid. By taking a deep breath and holding it, you increase pressure in your internal cavity, effectively transforming your torso into a rigid cylinder. This creates a stable base of support for your arm to work from.
When you make that forced exhale, you engage specific core muscles – the internal obliques and transverse abdominis – which are precisely the muscles needed to counter the twisting motion required to open a jar. 'You are priming your body and locking your base of support,' Professor Fry concluded, allowing all your energy to focus on the task.
Weightlifting Technique for the Kitchen
This isn't a novel concept invented for jar opening; it's a technique borrowed from professional weightlifting and other sports. Professor Fry noted that this is something we all instinctively do when performing strenuous activities.
TikTok users were quick to confirm the method's validity and wider applications. One commenter identified the technique as Valsalva breathing, explaining: 'It's why weight lifters often pass out after a heavy lift because they usually aren't breathing during the lift to push against the lifting belt.'
Another user connected it to sports like tennis, where players are taught to breathe out during their shot to generate rotational strength. The principle of creating core stability through breath control appears across multiple disciplines, from the gym to the kitchen cupboard.
Social media response has been overwhelmingly positive, with one convert reporting: 'I always do the breathe out method and it really works. Now I know the reason that’s cool.'
Why not test this scientific approach yourself the next time you encounter an uncooperative jar? You might be surprised how effectively a simple breathing technique can solve a common household frustration.
