trippblog

[trippblog]

Why is Tik Tok so Popular?

Tik Tok is a popular and growing app that millions have found a liking to, the numbers exponentially grow more and more each day in views and users. With the varying amount of content on the app, there is something there for everyone to enjoy. There has been an exorbitant amount of people and things popularized on the app so the appeal is always high to join and consume or create to show off the next big thing.

           Though the app was targeted towards children and teens in the beginning it morphed into an app for any age range to create and/or watch content. Roughly around 2019 the app began to gain major traction and started to boom in 2020 with the pandemic taking the fore front in man peoples lives. Adolescents and teens started to use the app as even more of an escape since the countries shut down and slowly but surely adults and even elders started to download and create on the app for the same reason.

           The app has been a place where people can just let loose with their humor, opinions, and more, even causing quite a storm during the election season and in politics in general.

           Siennah Cain, 23, is a Tik Tok user that joined that app mid-2019. I asked her why she enjoys the Tik Tok app, and she explained that with the amount of content that is on there she will always find something to entertain her. It is used to pass the time, get ideas for something, get updated on certain stories, find weird videos, or find a recipe, there are endless things she can find on the app.

Another younger individual I interviewed, Natalie Pavone, 20, was asked what made her want to join the app when she did? She also joined the app around mid-2019 and has consistently found new and interesting content on Tik Tok.  Ms. Pavone said that she wanted to join the app because, “there were so many trends and ‘inside jokes’ that originated from Tik Tok that I wanted to be in on the jokes I felt I was missing […] so many people were bashing on it but also saying how great it was and I didn’t care if it was embarrassing to join at the time, and I don’t regret it.”

With the amount of content on the app, I see how it would be hard to get bored of it quickly. I have the app as well and continuously find things that continue to intrigue and entertain me.

With the chaos of the past couple of years, it's nice to have a distraction and with more and more people joining every day there is no shortage of content for people to watch. Trends, songs, people, and much more get extremely popularized on the app and to be off of Tik Tok means to be out of the loop and no one wants to be out of the loop.

https://mediakix.com/blog/tik-tok-user-growth-infographic/?fb_ref=rWonz773wG-Twitter

[trippblog]

Can Hiking Boost Your Mood?

Hiking sounds daunting but, it can help with many things. It can help get you stronger, build your endurance, get you healthier, and boost your mood.

When thinking about hiking there is a common image that pops into my head, someone with a huge backpack standing at the top of this huge mountain looking tired but proud. When hiking does not have to be this huge feat that takes you most of your morning or even most of the day to go through and back. As I have found hiking has helped me a lot more mentally than I would have expected it to, and I am not alone in that either.

Lily Thompson is one of those people, she is not an avid hiker but does go on hikes semi-regularly when she can. She stated that “hiking in nature is relaxing and being surrounded by life is the best”. She also feels as though hiking has helped boost her mood and makes her feel “refreshed, calm, and happy” and “like [she] can breathe easier” after going on hikes. Thompson usually will find low-intensity hiking spots so she can enjoy the scenery and she finds that that also helps significantly in how her mood changes before and after a hike.

I believe that as well, having recently gone on my first real hike the other day I realized that before my mood was solemn and reluctant because the day had not been going well to start with, but after the hike, I was excited, refreshed, and feeling at peace with how the day went even though it wasn’t fully great.

Being able to soak up the scenery on the trails, while also getting your heart pumping and lungs burning is the perfect mix of things to get your endorphins up which gives you the boost you need to improve your mood. Especially if you are on this hike with friends or family, then that can add another mood booster if it all goes well.

Another person I talked to was Anahi Gutierrez. Her experience with hiking is similar she said, “[Hiking] is calming, and though my thoughts are still going during the hike it is easier for me to think about my reactions and solutions to those things”. She also said that on those higher intensity walks, her stress calms too because those thoughts get pushed a bit to the back of her mind because of the focus put on finishing the hike. Gutierrez did say that when she finishes her hikes, though she feels happy after, her exhaustion also makes her a bit angry. She just wants to relax after especially if it is one of higher intensity.

Hiking is not the only way to boost your mood or relieve your stress but it is a great option. It gets your body moving and gives you a healthy alternative to shake up your routine. Starting on even a walk around your neighborhood before going on trails can help clear your mind and make you smile before you immediately go to sleep. Have fun and happy hiking!

Cafasso, J. (2017, July 12). Endorphins: Functions, levels, and natural boosts. Healthline. Retrieved September 18, 2021, from https://www.healthline.com/health/endorphins.