Huberman Tip of The Day - Get a Variable Reward!

Author

Betterdo
August 16, 2023

How are we supposed to engage with these dopamine evoking activities in ways that are healthy and beneficial for us? How do we achieve these peaks, which are so central to our wellbeing and experience of life without dropping our baseline? The key lies in intermittent release of dopamine.

Andrew Huberman

Life is not about removing excitement and becoming a robot. Routine: Wake up - get sun - drink coffee - work hard - work out - sleep well. No. You can (and should) do activities you enjoy and look forward to.

Now, I know you’re not ‘doing nothing’ all day after reading 1 email. 70% of us forget the tool 10 seconds later. Try not to forget this one ;) Joy comes from the balanced release of dopamine. Not the most release of dopamine.

And your system deserves a reward right now.

So , today you’re going to treat yourself. Go on a hike. Eat a donut. Watch Netflix. Have a drink. Play video games.

I know you already do these without me reminding you. But when you see it as “an activity that’s good for you”, you feel present and let go of guilt. Anyone with a toxic relationship with productivity understands what I mean.

So here are some ideas.

  • Eat your favorite meal

  • Buy the thing you were saving up for

  • Play board games with friends

  • Go to a sports match

  • Call your friend

  • Go to a party

Or anything else. think of something you actually enjoy doing. Okay, think about it…

Great! do that thing today. Count to 5, think of the activity you enjoy, and if you can, go do it right now! 

Here’s a 5-second timer

Take the action. I like running. Will go start running right now. See you there!

Lesson learned: Get your reward at intermittent times

Action: Go get your adrenaline rush

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