Andrew Huberman's Morning Routine (Updated June 2024)
1. Wake Up Early
What wake up alarm uses Andrew Huberman? He doesn`t use any.
Huberman wakes up naturally. Usually he wakes up at 5:30 AM and 6:30 AM without using an alarm clock. This helps regulate his circadian rhythms and ensures he starts his day feeling energized12.
When you wake up in the morning, you wake up because a particular hormone called cortisol is released from your adrenal glands, your adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys3
He believes waking up with an alarm is not ideal for your body's natural circadian rhythms
Footnotes
2. Hydration
When a person consumes even just 2% less fluid than their recommended amount, their cognitive and physical performance is impaired, highlighting the importance of understanding how much water or fluid we need to drink each day
- Upon waking, Huberman drinks two glasses of water to rehydrate his body after a night's sleep 1
- LMNT, Electrolyte Drink: He consumes it because LMNT is rich in sodium, magnesium, and potassium. Buy here
- Salted Water: a glass of water with a small amount of salt (not a tablespoon, but a smaller quantity like half a teaspoon) to stimulate ionic flow and improve hydration efficiency 23
Sea Salt [Buy here] | Himalayan Salt [Buy here]
Huberman is a proponent of using sea salt or Himalayan pink salt over regular table salt, as they contain additional minerals beyond just sodium
- AG1 by Athletic Greens – essential vitamins, minerals, and probiotics, mixed with water and sometimes lemon or lime juice. Buy AG1
I’ve been using AG1 since 2012 because it’s the simplest, most straightforward way for me to get my basis of important vitamins, minerals, and probiotics
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3. Yoga Routine
Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) is a significant part of Huberman's routine. He often refers 1 to this practice as Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) and highlights its ability to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps in managing stress and promoting relaxation
”One study shows that 10 to 30 minutes of this yoga ninja practice restores levels of dopamine in an area of the brain called the basal ganglia which are involved in motor planning”
Yoga Nidra Tutorial Video (for beginners, 10 minutes)
I think people can get a lot out of having a protocol that they do maybe first thing in the morning when they wake up if they didn't get enough sleep
Footnotes
4. Morning Sunlight Exposure
After a yoga he makes a sun exposure
- 5-30 minutes of sun exposure depends on the sun intensity
- If a day is missed, try to double the exposure time the next day
- Alternative for Limited Sunlight: use a SAD lamp, Buy Here
This practice helps regulate his circadian rhythm, boosting alertness and mood123.
Read more about Morning Sunlight Exposure in his protocol
Footnotes
5. Delayed Caffeine Intake
- Huberman recommends123 delaying caffeine intake for 90 to 120 minutes after waking up. This allows adenosine to naturally dissipate, reducing the likelihood of an afternoon energy crash.
- He mentions caffeine is a diuretic and can lead to dehydration, which can impair cognitive and physical performance.
- Huberman takes coffee or yerba mate (he takes non-smoked versions due to potential carcinogenic risks)
There's one particular brand that I like. I don't have any affiliation to them whatsoever but I've been using it for years. It's Anna Park. It's an organic brand that is sold. I buy mine on Amazon.
Did you know about Caffeine? Adenosine is a molecule that builds up in the brain the longer you are awake, contributing to feelings of sleepiness. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors, temporarily preventing the feeling of fatigue
- Dosage: He suggests that the optimal dosage of caffeine for improving focus and concentration ranges from 100 to 400 milligrams, depending on individual tolerance and whether it is consumed with or without food 4
Footnotes
6. Exercise
His morning exercise routine alternates between cardio and weight training. This not only enhances physical fitness but also boosts mental performance123. His weekly schedule incorporates various types of training to ensure a balanced approach to fitness, focusing on endurance, strength, and recovery
- On Mondays he has a leg resistance training with a 10-minute warm-up followed by 50-60 minutes of resistance exercises
- Tuesday: Andrew Huberman prefers Heat and Cold Exposure for cardiovascular benefits and recovery
- Wednesday: Upper Body Resistance Training
- Thursday: Moderate to High-Intensity Cardio (35 minutes)
- Friday: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
- Saturday: Customizable Resistance Training
- On Sundays Andrew Huberman prefers Long endurance training (35-75 minutes) such as rowing, cycling, slow jogging, swimming, or hiking
Footnotes
7. Devices for Exercises
- Huberman emphasizes the importance of tracking health metrics to optimize fitness routines. He recommends devices like the WHOOP 4.0 fitness tracker, which provides detailed insights into sleep, recovery, and strain, helping users to tailor their workouts more effectively. Buy Whoop 4.0
- Huberman includes neck training in his routine to improve posture and reduce injury risk. He suggests using devices like the TDS 4-Way Neck Machine. Buy TDS 4-Way Neck Machine | Buy Iron Neck Alpha (budget-friendly alternative)
- **Large HIIT Workout Timer: **BTBSIGN LED, buy here
- Portable Interval Timer for HIIT training could be a good idea. Gymboss, buy here
- Huberman discusses the use of cooling devices like the CoolMitt, which can significantly enhance exercise performance by efficiently cooling the body. This device helps in performing more volume and repetitions of resistance exercises and can improve endurance activities like running or cycling1. Buy CoolMitt) ($200 OFF, if you subscribe to their newsletter)
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