Expert on the morning routine that will 'make you better at everything'

18 August 2023 , 18:04

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His routine also involves some odd things, like drinking salt water and 'cold exposure' in the shower (Image: @HubermanLabClips/youtube)

A neuroscientist professor from Standford is sharing his secrets to a "perfect morning routine" that he claims will "make you better at everything" - for those brave enough to try it.

Dr Andrew Huberman was featured in a YouTube video which showed off this morning routine - which includes waking up at 6:30 every morning and immediately going outside for a walk in the sunlight - and ends with drinking a glass of salt water.

Huberman says he does this routine himself every single day and can attest that it works. "I'm certain that these tools work," he says. But all of the sunshine, exercise, and delaying caffeine that he's advertising isn't as important as the most vital thing for your brain - sleep.

Stanford neuroscientist lays out a morning routine that will 'make you better at everything' including drinking salt water (Glaucoma Research Foundation)

Dr Huberman's background in neurology gives him a deeper understanding of how vital sleep is for overall health. "There are certain foundational behaviours - certain dos and don'ts that set the stage for you to be better at everything...," he said.

"It always comes back to two elements - that's sleep and what I call non-sleep deep rest. Sleep is the fundamental practice or part of our 24-hour cycle where if you don't get it on a consistent basis, you are downregulating your ability to do everything," Huberman continues.

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His "perfected" routine, which he showed off in a video, says he wakes up every day at 6.30am and first, writes down what time he got up. Then he "makes a beeline for sunlight." He says, "Getting outside for 10 minutes or 15 minutes is absolutely vital to physical and mental health."

Individuals who are dieting or losing weight should take walks to "promote metabolic well-being and positive functioning of the nervous system," according to Eye Mind Spirit. For those that wake up before sunrise, Huberman recommends getting all of the lights on and training your body to expect morning.

Then he explains that he prefers to delay his caffeine intake until he's been awake for 90-120 minutes, instead forcing himself to drink water - which is overall healthier for metabolism and a great way to start hydrating. Huberman says it also helps maintain focus throughout the day. But Huberman doesn't just do plain water. He suggests adding a little bit of salt to at least one glass to "stimulate ionic flow."

Make sure to get enough sleep, water, sunshine, and exercise, says a Standford neurologist (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The internet health guru and professor doesn't eat breakfast until 11am, instead just drinking a green vitamin shake. He says delaying this meal improves sugar control, heart health and brain function. Huberman then begins his work day, but he's luck enough to be able to do a "90-minute bout of work." He adds that during this time, he "typically [has his] phone off and out of the room."

"You'd be amazed how much you can get done in 90 minutes if you are focused," he said. After that, he heads off to do an hour of exercise, which he recommends five days a week. Though most people have day jobs and can't take off after an hour and a half, the effects for those that are able to have a routine like this are immense.

One YouTuber actually tried Huberman's routine for 30 days and did a blood test at the end to see if anything changed on the Goal Guys channel. While the blood test didn't show any major changes, the host says the routine "changed [his] life."

Yelena Mandenberg