“Blocks” of Work.
As much as I hate to say it, I’m a huge procrastinator and the reason for this is fear. I am constantly fearful of doing a bad job on a homework assignment, a test, a paper, or a presentation, therefore, I try my best to avoid it altogether rather than get it done. Huberman’s idea on “blocks” of work is to sit down and put all your energy into your work for 90-120 minutes. Then, take a short break before returning back to work. This is also known as the “Pomodoro method”. For me, I will:
- Find a quiet area on campus; the library, the science library, Art Center, Stein, etc.
- Put my phone on DND (Do Not Disturb)
- Take out everything I need to do, and start working on it for 90-120 minutes (an hour and a half, to two hours)
- Then take a 5-10 minute break.
This method has seemed to really help me, as I am able to put all my focus in for an hour and a half and look forward to my break. But, what I also found with this, is that after working for so long on an assignment, I feel more inclined to finish it, meaning that sometimes I keep working after the 90-120 minutes is up. Although, if I feel I need a break, I do so, and either go on my phone, talk on the phone with my mom, talk to my friends, or take a walk to grab a snack or a drink.
Morning Sunlight.
Huberman focuses on circadian rhythm in this podcast, as well. Circadian rhythm is incredibly important, as it functions your body in many different ways. It serves its role in providing the time clock for your body’s wakefulness and sleepiness, your metabolism, your body temperature, and your hormones. A long long time ago, humans would wake up when the sun rose and sleep when it went down, this was the natural purpose of humans’ circadian rhythm. When the sun rose, your body would say it was time to wake up, and when it went down, your body would say it was time to sleep. Obtaining morning sunlight helps to continue the process and quality of your circadian rhythm, as it produces more wakefulness in the morning and for the rest of the day. Morning sunlight improves your overall mood, and health as well. Vitamin D is incredibly important as a deficiency in it can lead to depression and anxiety. Obtaining enough sunlight produces happiness and an overall better mood. When the direct sunlight touches your skin, it produces Vitamin D. It has actually been shown outside of Huberman’s podcast, from UCLA health, that in order to gain the right amount of vitamin D, you must be in direct sunlight for two hours. Getting morning sunlight helps your energy levels in the morning, and allows you to gain more vitamin D as well. School really helps me in getting morning sunlight, because getting up for classes (especially early in the morning) forces me to go outside and get sunlight. I have learned that I always feel much more energized, happy, and health when I have taken a walk outside, or have spent time outside.
I’m really excited to keep doing these things and implement them into my daily routine, and life. I also want to say that I am not a professional, and am just taking advice from someone else. It’s important to note that these don’t work for everyone, so don’t force yourself into doing them if they don’t work well for you. I hope you are able to listen to some of Huberman’s podcasts because I am super excited to use these in my day-to-day life and interested in knowing more about the human body and mind.