Berry Interesting – Page 31

New Trend: Adult Tummy Time

“Adult tummy time” sounds like a joke, but on TikTok, it’s apparently a full-blown wellness trend. Inspired by the same concept pediatricians recommend for infants, the idea is to lie flat on your stomach for at least 10 minutes a day. Why? To counteract the physical strain of modern life, particularly the so-called “tech neck” caused by hunching over screens for hours on end.

At best, it’s a DIY physical therapy move that’s easy to do at home. Just prop yourself up on your forearms or stay flat, and go about whatever you were doing—scrolling your phone, watching TV, or reading a book. Content creators claim it helps stretch out tight neck and shoulder muscles, improve posture, and reduce back strain.

The premise is rooted in real concerns.

“Tech neck” isn’t just a cute nickname; it’s a catch-all for the headaches, soreness, and reduced mobility that can result from constant downward gazing.

And unlike a trip to the chiropractor or massage therapist, this solution is free and accessible. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it.

Physical therapists and some TikTokers warn that poor form can make things worse. If you’re craning your neck upward, say, to watch TV or check your phone, that head tilt compresses your spine in the same problematic way as slouching, negating any benefits.

The better approach is to keep your spine and neck aligned. Reading a book placed flat on the floor or using a small cushion to prop your chest up slightly can help maintain good posture.

Like many viral wellness hacks, this one may not be a cure-all, but it could be a step in the right direction for people trying to be more mindful of their body mechanics.

@painacademy
The Vital Role of the Prone Position in Developmental Muscular Growth and Stability Spending time in a prone position, also known as ‘tummy time’ is a key developmental stage in infants for a crucial reason – it plays a significant role in developing the necessary stabilizing and postural muscles required to stand upright and move around eventually. The relevance of tummy time for babies is well-documented. As a study in the journal Early Human Development (2016) highlights this position being fundamental to the development of muscles and motor skills, contributing substantially to their physical growth. Without adequate tummy time, babies can experience a delay in developing crucial skills, such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and eventually walking. However, this position is not only vital for infants. The principles that make tummy time beneficial for babies also apply to adults, particularly when it comes to remedying postural issues and restoring functional capabilities. When adults spend time in a prone position, they can stimulate the development and conditioning of neglected muscle groups. The prone position facilitates the engagement of core stabilizing muscles, posterior chain muscles, and shoulder girdle muscles. These muscle groups are often neglected in day-to-day activities, leading to imbalance and postural complications. A study published in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation (2018) highlighted the positive impact of prone position exercises on back pain patients. The research showed that such exercises significantly improved functional disability, pain intensity, and lumbar mobility. Give this position a try, but ease into it. For prone position to occur, your hips, pelvis, and spine must all be able to extend together, which is a challenging function for bodies that have adapted to sedentary lifestyles and spend most of their time flexed in chairs. Softly approach this, 5 min might not feel like much until it’s time to get out of it. If you want a more specific training plan of corrective exercises to do at home to restore your ability to move, check out the online movement program – link in bio 🙂
♬ original sound – Pain Academy

@mindfulmovementandliving
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE tummy time! But if you’re working on your forward head posture, make sure to make this adjustment so you’re not reinforcing the forward head position #mindfulmovementandliving #forwardheadposture #neckhump #tummytime
♬ original sound – Rachel🪷Personal Trainer+Reiki

Seven Money-Saving Hacks That Actually Cost You More

Ever tried to pinch pennies and ended up burning through more cash instead? According to frugal Reddit users, some so-called “money-saving hacks” can backfire big time, and might even cost you more than just dollars. Here are a few of the top offenders:

1. Chasing Cheap Gas

Sure, a gas station across town might have prices a few cents lower, but unless the savings are significant, you could end up spending more on the drive than you save at the pump. Factor in wear and tear on your car and the value of your time, and it often doesn’t add up.

2. DIY Projects Gone Wrong

Taking the do-it-yourself route can seem thrifty, until you’re knee-deep in a bathroom renovation with a leaking pipe and no clue what you’re doing. Redditors agree: unless you really know your stuff, complex repairs can lead to bigger, costlier problems down the line.

3. Homemade ≠ Cheaper

It’s tempting to assume making something yourself is always more economical. But with the low cost of mass production, many household items or foods are often cheaper (and more reliable) to buy than to build or cook from scratch, especially when you factor in the cost of tools, ingredients, or failed attempts.

4. Buying Just Because It’s on Sale

Sales can be seductive, but frugality means buying what you need, not just what’s discounted. Stocking up on items you were going to buy anyway? Smart. Grabbing two waffle makers “just in case”? Not so much.

5. Meal Kit Services

These services sound like a great way to cut down on takeout spending, but they’re not always a solid investment. Many users admit they sign up with good intentions but still end up ordering food, and letting the meal kits go to waste.

6. Always Choosing the Cheapest Option

It’s a classic mistake: buying the cheapest shoes, appliances, or clothes only to have them fall apart quickly. Quality often means longevity, and longevity often means actual savings.

7. Growing Your Own Food

Gardening might sound like a budget-friendly way to eat, but between soil, seeds, tools, and time, it can turn into an expensive hobby. Unless you’re going full homesteader, you might spend more on tomatoes than you’d ever pay at the store.

In the world of budgeting, shortcuts can seem smart—but it turns out, they might be more hassle than they’re worth.

Owning a Pet Now Costs a Small Fortune

If your kid asks for a puppy this Christmas, tell them sure… they just might not be able to go to college.

A study by Synchrony found the true cost of caring for a cat or dog over their entire lifetime can range from $20,000 to $61,000 – nearly three times what most people expect.

The poll asked people to estimate how much it would cost to care for a pet for 15 years. The average guesses were $5,735 for a cat and $8,158 for a dog.

But those optimistic ballpark figures fall well short of reality once you account for food, grooming, vet visits, and all those little extras we indulge our pets with. (Hey!! My cat likes dressing up for Halloween, okay!?!)

The actual estimated lifetime cost?

$20,000 to $47,000 for cats, and $22,000 to $61,000 for dogs.

It breaks down to roughly $1,500 a year—and that’s the minimum you should expect.

The cost of pet ownership isn’t just high—it’s also rising fast.

From 2022 to 2025, dog-related expenses increased by 12%, and cat costs have surged 19%.

Despite the financial burden, most pet parents have no plans to live a life without pets.

More than 75% of those surveyed said they see their pets as “family members,” “best friends,” or even “children.” That sentiment runs slightly stronger among dog owners—24% said they view their pup as a child, compared to 21% of cat owners.

With inflation and rising vet bills continuing to push costs higher, the findings serve as a reality check for current and would-be pet owners.

The takeaway? Pets are priceless, but definitely not free.

A Dating App Trying to Filter Out Short Kings

Well, good news: Tinder just made it easier to get rejected before your first awkward “Hey :)”.

Tinder is once again tweaking how people connect, and this time, it’s about height. The dating app has begun testing a new filter that allows paid users to narrow their matches based on how tall someone says they are.

This isn’t a verification tool. Users can still self-report their height (truthfully or generously), but now those who care—like women who prefer taller men, or men looking to filter for shorter women—can fine-tune their preferences. And yes, tall women and short kings can do the same.

Unsurprisingly, the internet had thoughts. Some users, especially shorter men, were quick to call out the double standards.

One popular comment read, “Justice for all us short kings!” while another asked why women can filter by height without backlash, but men are criticized for having physical preferences.

A few even suggested a hypothetical weight filter.

Tinder, for its part, says the filter is part of a broader move to help users connect “more intentionally.” At this stage, it’s not a “hard filter” that actually blocks profiles. It just nudges the algorithm to prioritize certain heights, and only for those paying for Tinder’s top-tier Platinum subscription (which starts at $40/month).

It’s worth noting: this isn’t entirely new. Hinge—also owned by Match Group—already allows paid users to filter by height.

There is some “good news” if you’re under 5’8″ and feeling targeted: It’s probably saving YOUR time to be filtered out early than to be matched with someone who’s measuring compatibility by inches.

Words No One Can Pronounce Correctly

Everyone has at least one word that causes a verbal faceplant. And what is up with the English language, who made all these words that are hard to pronounce?

A Reddit thread asked users to share the common words they still stumble over, and it turns out the struggle is real. These aren’t obscure academic terms or names in Elvish. They’re the kind of words you run into all the time, which only makes it more frustrating when your mouth goes rogue.

Here are some words that are the most frequently mangled:

Rural – Say it too fast and it turns into an engine trying to start.
Brewery – Good luck after you’ve had a few.
Marlboro – The “L” and “B” are locked in a neverending fight for dominance.
Posthumously – I’ve mispronounced it so many times, I have no idea what it’s supposed to sound like.
Worcestershire Sauce – British culinary revenge, pronounced “WUSS-ter-sheer” (roughly).
Sixth – That “xth” combo is where enunciation goes to die.
Anemone – Even Nemo’s friends had trouble with this one.
Hamster – Often mispronounced as “hampster,” despite having no “p” in sight.
Espresso – “Expresso” may sound fancier, but it’s wrong. Very wrong.
Açaí – It looks intimidating, and it is: “Ah-sa-ee.”
Realtor – It’s just two syllables, but many add an imaginary one: “Real-a-tor.”
Negligible – Good luck!
Gyro – Depending on who you ask, it’s “yee-roh,” “jai-roh,” or “jee-roh.” You have no chance.
Proselytize – The word for converting others to your beliefs should probably convert to a simpler form.
Abominable – A word as difficult to deal with as the snowman it refers to.
Metastasized – Science words always bring the pronunciation pain.
Phenomenon – The “Muppets” made a whole song out of this one for a reason.
February – That pesky first “r” disappears in casual speech more often than not.
Amortization – A financial term that sounds like a mouthful of spreadsheets.
Rear Wheel Drive – As one person put it: “It’s like my lips and tongue are playing Twister.”

Whether you’re giving a toast or just trying to talk about your car, there’s a good chance one of these words will make you stumble. Language is weird.

New Grad Goes Straight to Work, Gets Rewarded by TikTok

In a time when viral fame often comes from stunts or pranks, one Atlanta teen is making headlines for all the right reasons.

Just hours after donning his cap and gown for graduation, 18-year-old Mykale Baker clocked in for his shift at Burger King—still wearing his full graduation attire. According to the video, the graduation didn’t end until 10:00 PM.

https://www.tiktok.com/@mariabonita528/video/7507469018077416735

The moment, captured in a now-viral TikTok by a customer, has struck a chord with thousands of people online, sparking a wave of admiration and generosity.

It shows Mykale standing in the Burger King kitchen, clearly fresh from the graduation stage, ready to take orders with the same commitment he’s likely shown in school. The contrast between the formality of his gown and the fast-food setting quickly turned the photo into a symbol of grit and determination.

The woman who took the photo, moved by Mykale’s work ethic, started a GoFundMe to help support his college dreams. What began as a modest fundraising effort has now grown into something life-changing.

Within days, the campaign blew past $150,000 in donations—more than enough to cover tuition, books, and then some.

Mykale became an internet sensation overnight, but also a beacon of what hard work looks like in action. With the support of strangers rallying behind him, he’s now free to pursue higher education without the financial weight that burdens so many young students.

The story is especially resonant for communities who understand the hustle it takes to get ahead. For many, Mykale’s decision to show up for work on one of the most important days of his life wasn’t surprising; it was relatable.

As the GoFundMe page puts it, “From Burger King to a College Dream.” Thanks to the internet’s better instincts, that dream is now very real.

Karaoke Songs So Bad You Wish the Machine Would Break

Let’s face it: karaoke is one of those things that’s only as enjoyable as the song choice and the singer’s commitment (and pitch tolerance). When either falters, it becomes less about fun and more about surviving someone else’s musical midlife crisis.

With that in mind, here’s our definitive list of karaoke tracks so notorious, we almost hope the machine malfunctions before they begin:

1. “Ice Ice Baby” – Vanilla Ice
The moment someone hits that opening line, you can almost hear the collective sigh in the bar. Nostalgia can’t save this one.

2. “My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion
Titanic gave us one unforgettable tragedy. Do we really need another?

3. “American Pie” – Don McLean
Eight and a half minutes of vague symbolism and chorus repetition that leaves everyone wanting the music to die.

4. “Tears in Heaven” – Eric Clapton
Excuse me, sir – we’re in a bar. This is supposed to be fun.

5. “Baby Got Back” – Sir Mix-a-Lot
We get it. You like big butts.

6. “Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond
Yes, everyone joins in. No, that doesn’t mean you should be the one leading it.

7. “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
We’ve stopped believin’ long ago.

8. Anything by Sarah McLachlan
A beautiful voice—when she’s singing. When it’s you? Hard pass.

9. “Friends in Low Places” – Garth Brooks
Nothing like an off-key country song to clear a room.

10. [Insert Your Own Cringe-Inducing Favorite Here]
Because there’s always that one song someone thinks is their moment. And it never is.

So if you ever walk into a bar and find the karaoke machine out of order, maybe don’t panic. It might be doing us all a favor.

10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: June 1-7

It’s time for another nostalgic look back at the good, the bad, and the just plain weird. Remember where you were when this stuff happened? Here’s what was in the news 10 years ago this week.

1. Caitlyn Jenner introduced herself to the world. She’d come out as trans in an interview with “20/20” that April, but we didn’t really meet her until the “Vanity Fair” spread landed on June 1st, 2015.

2. Kim Kardashian announced she was pregnant again. She revealed the news in a teaser at the end of the “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” mid-season finale. She gave birth to her son Saint that December – her second of four kids with now former husband (and former sane person) Kanye West.

3. Thongs were going out of style. “The New York Times” did a story on how thong sales were slipping and young women were opting for the much more comfortable granny panty option.

4. YouTube’s 10th birthday video was trending. It marked the 10th anniversary of YouTube’s beta version, which launched in May 2005.

5. The Duggars were in full meltdown mode. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar from TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” did their first interview after news broke that their oldest son Josh “improperly touched” five victims, including four of his younger sisters. The show was cancelled that July.

6. Tracy Morgan did his first interview following his horrible car crash. He’d nearly died almost exactly one year earlier when a Walmart truck plowed into the back of his Mercedes Sprinter van. Tragically, his longtime collaborator James McNair didn’t survive the crash.

7. IHOP updated their logo to make it happier. They decided their old one looked like a frown, so they turned it upside down.

8. A guy’s long-neck mugshot went viral. He was accused of stealing $3,000 worth of antique coins from a store, but all anyone wanted to know was how much llama DNA he had.

9. The Broadway casts of “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” got stranded at an airport together. The airport sing-off that ensued was of epic proportions.

10. The trailer for “Sharknado 3” was released. It was one of six “Sharknado” movies that came out between 2013 and 2018 – all of them benchmarks in cinematic brilliance.

F*#@ Yeah! America Swears More Than Any Other Country

The U.S. may not lead the world in healthcare or math scores, but it’s secured a different kind of dominance—one four-letter word at a time.

An expansive new study led by Australian researchers found the United States swears online more than any other English-speaking country.

The researchers analyzed over 1.7 billion words from nearly 340,000 websites, and the U.S. came out on top when it comes to online expletives.

On average, roughly 1 in every 3,000 words posted on American websites is a curse word.

That figure rises to 1 in 2,300 words on American blogs, which are more likely to feature informal language.

For comparison, the U.K. trails slightly behind with one curse word in every ~4,200 words, followed by Australia at one in ~4,500.

Their list included nearly 600 different swear words.

The research team cast a wide net in defining what counts as a swear word—an important detail that sheds light on the numbers. The 597 different words they included ranged from heavy hitters like the F-word (and its many creative uses and misspellings) to milder jabs like “jackass” and “butthead.”

Interestingly, the study’s authors didn’t try to hide their national disappointment. While American writing may dominate in online profanity, they hinted that Australia could still hold the edge when it comes to spoken language. “One possible explanation,” they wrote, “is that Australians are more conservative when they write online, but not so much when they are face-to-face.”

Sure, Australia. Tell yourself whatever you need to so you can sleep at night. But everyone knows when it comes to cussin’, America kicks ass. Still the leader of the free world in more ways than one.