Morning routines
Morning Routines of Huberman, Ferriss and Franklin, Side by Side
A neuroscientist, a podcaster and an 18th-century printer start their days very differently. Three moves still show up in all three mornings: a protected start before the world gets in, a few minutes spent deciding what the day is for, and one block of focused work before noon. Those are the ones worth copying first.
What They Have in Common
Protect the first hour
None of them opens the day with other people's demands. Ferriss keeps his phone on airplane mode until his routine is done, Huberman goes outside with his dog, and Franklin's plan gives the first hours to washing, prayer and study.
Decide what the day is for
Franklin asked "What good shall I do this day?" and picked one resolution. Ferriss journals for a few minutes, including the day's priorities. Both take under ten minutes and need only paper.
A calm start for the body
Huberman drinks water with a pinch of salt and walks outside for light. Ferriss meditates, then does a handful of reps that are not meant as a workout. Neither is strenuous.
Focused work before noon
Huberman runs a 90-minute timed block with the internet blocked. Ferriss sits down to uninterrupted work once his routine is done. Franklin's plan starts four hours of work at eight.
Each Routine, Step by Step
Andrew Huberman
- Drink 16 to 32 oz of water with a pinch of salt Soon after waking
- Walk outside and get daylight in your eyes Within an hour of waking
- Take a cold shower Early morning
- Delay caffeine 90 to 120 minutes after waking 90-120 min after waking
- Skip breakfast until late morning Until about 11am to noon
- Do one 90-minute block of focused work Mid-morning
Tim Ferriss
- Keep your phone on airplane mode until the routine is done From bedtime until the morning routine ends
- Make your bed Right after getting up
- Meditate for 20 minutes first thing First thing after waking
- Hot tub, then a cold dip and cold shower After waking, before deep work
- Do 5 to 10 reps of something After meditating
- Read a few pages of Stoic philosophy Morning
- Make pu-erh tea or coffee After meditation and self-care
- Journal with Morning Pages or the 5-Minute Journal With the morning tea
- Do easy Zone 2 cardio before eating After meditation, on days without early commitments
- Start the day's deep work with no interruptions After the morning routine
Benjamin Franklin
- Rise at 5, wash, and say a short prayer 5:00 a.m.
- Sit in a cool room for an "air bath" On rising (1768 habit)
- Ask "What good shall I do this day?" and plan 6:00 a.m.
- Study, then have breakfast 7:00 a.m.
LifeHack starter routine
A 20-minute morning built from what they share
Start with these four for a week, then add more once they stick. Join the waitlist and this routine is ready for you the day the app opens.
Save This Routine- 1 min Leave your phone on airplane mode From Ferriss
- 10 min Step outside for daylight, with a glass of water From Huberman
- 5 min Ask what good you will do today, and write it down From Franklin and Ferriss
- 4 min A few push-ups or squats to wake up From Ferriss
Based on what each person has shared publicly. LifeHack is not affiliated with any of them. Not medical advice. Each step's sources are on that person's routine page.