Why Do You Only Get Motivated After Midnight? | Night Owls

[@ferrisbueller9991]

I think a lot of this phenomenon is instilled in adolescence where school owns your day and its homework owns your evening. Finally comes night and you can work on your own time. This leads to staying up late, cherishing the few hours that you like, meaning less sleep for the shit you have to wake up for. Teenagers being forced to wake at 7am is stupid. I remember my school tried to make a change for it to be 9. Overwhelmingly popular but a few moms on the board were real killjoys: calculating how the accumulation of the hour per day adds up to 2 weeks less of education. Yeah, they just don't want their white wine nail salon day schedule fucked with.

[@JD2jr.]

It's also reiterated just by living with parents/roommates. If you do stuff during the day, they can interrupt you, ask questions about what you're doing, or the dreaded, condescending "hey, look who's finally doing "... Wait 'til they're asleep, and you're free to do as you will.

[@CatONineCheese]

Yeah, I used stay up because it felt like I was putting off going to school for a few more hours

[@ordinarytree4678]

@@JD2jr. yes. Being temporally separate from your housemates helps give so much more productive hours. No one asking if I can go somewhere while Im in flow state, breaking my flow. And i cant do the same to them. It just works honestly. Being on nightshift is pretty alright.

[@Kyle-uo5bg]

@@JD2jr. I agree very much, when i'm left alone i can do what needs to be done without judgement or distractions

[@lumi5056]

Waking up at 7 is a problem??? Heck i have to wake up at 5.30 some of my friends have to wake up at 5 bus comes at 6.15-6.30 reach school at around 6.45-7 and school starts at 7.30 while waiting for school to start students are copying hw. So basically to have 8 hours of sleep students have to sleep at 9pm which is unrealistic. Only 1 out of 1000 students sleep before 10 most sleep at around 11pm-12am rarely do we get past 1am else 4 hours of sleep is hard. Sleeping 4 hours is worse than staying up all night. Sleeping 4 hrs ur mind will be blurry the whole day, concentration 0 and productivity/motivation to do stuff the whole day is 0 unless a 2-3hour nap is in the schedule

[@gatsuyatsu]

1.Gets motivated at mightnight 2.Promising myself that I will do something productive in the morning 3.Waking up in the afternoon demotivated 4.Repeat 😓

[@conkerconk3]

Bruh that hits like a sledgehammer. Writing it down in a journal might help though, so that you can go over it at some point and think "This is how I was feeling at that moment, it must have been a good idea"

[@bender535]

@@conkerconk3 I like this idea. I should do this

[@tidehunter4082]

Stay up late and disown any activity that doesn't let you. Thrive in your environment, instead of drowning in whatever the hell this is.

[@god8348]

@@conkerconk3 You gotta do something that takes up the whole next day, pull an all nighter and then stay awake the whole next day(don't do it at home, you'll probably fail) , then form a commitment which really requires you to wake up early and reset your sleep schedule over a week or so

[@rubenproost2552]

Midnight? You' re supposed to be in bed by 9pm young man.

[@andrewkelley9405]

I find it easier to be productive late into the night because that is when nobody bothers me and I can actually focus on myself.

[@patrick1126]

Out of curiosity do you also feel that even when probably nobody will bother you in the day you have a hard time doing productive things? Because I feel a bit the same at night but I also feel this when I'm alone in the house.

[@moonchild1866]

@@patrick1126 same

[@xXBenutzer235Xx]

You could try getting up early. Like 4-5 am. Lots of people do it for that exact reason. No one is up yet and you get a "headstart". By the time everyone else is up you have already cooked/studied/cleaned or had your workout. I tried it for some time and it actually feels great but comes with the pain of having to go to bed early and missing out on social stuff that happens in the evening.

[@SPN280]

While at community college, I used to rent out a room in the library where I had it all to myself and I could hide from the world and get work done. My friends didn’t know where I was too so I could focus more. Sometimes we just need a silent room with no stimulants

[@bennyblubman9476]

I sometimes feel like my ability to focus on my self gets shut off when around other people, do you have something similar?

[@Mahsei]

I like the feel of late night. No one tries to force you to do things. I can write, practice drawing, and even do homework or wash dishes without my family making fun of me, putting me down, or just bothering me/distracting me. It’s kind of like having your own room. I live in an Apartment with 4 brothers, and there are only 3 rooms so privacy is quite limited. It’s why I tend to stay up late, at the very least.

[@SobrietyandSolace]

I know the feel of only emerging between 2 and 6 am to get your shit done because of your family for real!

[@mistyculous9644]

I feel the same way - there are advantages to having your "own time."

[@vojtechstiborsky9522]

I wish I could live alone in my own space... I could focus on my diet, exercise, school, cooking, everything... but my family situation is crap so I basically have to stay at home and help my sister and my mom, Im only male at home and we have house with big garden... often times I feel like this is not my home rather than prison :( After I finish school I want to move out... but at this moment I dont have enough money to pay rent for a flat...

[@Mahsei]

@@vojtechstiborsky9522 Same! I have to help my family a lot and although I do love helping, I do want some time alone to focus on myself without bother, which may seem selfish but I'd be lying if I said otherwise. I plan to move out when I finish school as well! It's probably not gonna be as simple as I make it sound, but I'll do my best. I hope the best comes for you as well! Good luck in your future endeavors.

[@Joao-ur7ey]

Totally feel you. Late night is the only moment of peace and quietness.

[@Balloonbot]

I always felt its because there's an expectation during the day. Its when im meant to produce work - and i become avoidant due to that pressure. As soon as its a time where im expected to rest - that resistance clears up, its like there's no one watching me anymore, so if i fail - who cares its midnight i'll just go to bed if i fuck up. I also get this during the work day, i can do fuck all until my last hour then suddenly i find it much easier to work in the evenings.

[@BlankFaceAma]

I realized this exact same thing about myself when I was a struggling (in various ways) college student. I found that after about 11pm, it was like a pressure release valve was activated and just being awake seemed low stakes enough that I could finally function and get shit done.

[@Jefrejtor]

This is exactly how I feel, too. Sometimes I get more work done in overtime (unpaid, of my own accord) than during the normal 8hrs. I think you're right that this is avoidance.

[@BlankFaceAma]

@@Jefrejtor I have DEFINITELY been there before re:getting more work done off the clock than on. And I accept the trade off bc I know I didn't get much of anything done on the clock lol. Ridiculous.

[@BlankFaceAma]

@@seren3797 I feel you. It's rough and I don't have any advice. That situation didn't change for me until the semester ended and I went back home for the summer lol. Keep your head up though...you've got this even when it feels like you don't. I've had to retake classes and I still graduated and found a job. From my experience, literally no one asks to see your GPA or transcript. HR people might fact check but I think what schools provide in those checks is extremely limited bc they need your permission to get granular.

[@teroliikala]

YES. THIS IS ME 100%. Pls god how do I fix this :D

[@100hundert]

36:00 gave me goosebumps. What you're describing with "what's the NEXT BEST STEP?" is extremely similar to something I used to call my "next step system". I often struggle with debilitating procrastination and problems executing even simple tasks on some days. Seeing all you SHOULD be doing as a massive chunk can be so demoralizing, especially if you tell yourself that you're an idiot for not even being able to respond to a few emails or something similar. Breaking down tasks into the most basic, almost braindead easy PHYSICAL actions converts fuzzy, vague goals (like "get healthy") into achievable tiny steps. "I'm lying on my bed right now, browsing reddit again for 90 minutes, and I need to get so much stuff done today". Then, almost like someone outside of me, I give myself a mental quest list - like a tutorial level. Step 1: lock my phone. Step 2: stand up. Step 3: put on pants and walk outside for a bit. With some tasks - even short ones - that I dread starting, I focus on JUST the most obvious, immediate step - and give myself permission to take a break directly afterwards. That way I kinda trick my lizard brain that I don't actually plan on doing that dreaded task all at once, but just a small, physical action. Sometimes I even imagine a little quest marker hovering over whatever I plan on interacting with next. Doing a workout at home? Step 1: Approach and pick up the dumbbell. It can often feel so idiotic and hilariously basic, but even the longest marathon is just a series of steps. You don't need to focus on the goal way in the distance - first you need get off the couch. Then put on your shoes. And then take the first step. Then another one. And then another.

[@spaghetto9836]

That's actually super helpful, thank you lol.

[@Shino-lr2wi]

Thanks, It's terrible, I even procrastinate when I want to play a videogame then I just end up not playing at all.

[@spaghetto9836]

@@Shino-lr2wi Same 😂. Got myself a new My Hero Academia video-game a month ago & I haven't played it yet. We have it bad.

[@Shino-lr2wi]

@@spaghetto9836 you know its bad when you can't get yourself to do something you WANT to do.

[@bennyblubman9476]

I already broke down things to make them easier but I never thought of breaking them down into simple actions. Thanks for the insight

[@jdjk7]

One thing I think should be mentioned is that one thing that may contribute to "night owl" phenomena is the fact that in pre-industrial times, the middle of the night used to be a productive time. This theory primarily comes from one historian, Roger Ekirch, but he draws from hundreds of written references to such sleep patterns and his work is generally supported. It was very common to sleep for a few hours beginning around 8-10pm, wake up for an hour or two around 12-2am, and then sleep again before waking up around 5-7am. In fact, the expression 'beauty sleep' is a mistranslation of a Latin/Romance phrase, 'prima nocte'-- but now this is considered to have meant 'first sleep' (i.e. that first phase of sleep). The middle of the night was used for various purposes, most of which were self care-like (praying, self-reflection, writing/poetry/journaling, sex, socializing, etc). Also obviously people tended to use the time for crime. Ekirch suggests that the reason this fell out of fashion was primarily due to the effect of electric lighting on circadian rhythm, i.e. always-on electric lighting keeps people up much later and disrupts this pattern (one which one might call 'natural')

[@grafvonrotz2233]

Sounds interesting!

[@Crime_Mime]

Yeah I've heard of that idea. Polyphasic sleep, I think it's called. Very interesting stuff.

[@Xoruam]

On an unrelated note, but seeing "Prima nocte"... Could this have anything to do with that "Law of first night" BS that people keep spreading around?

[@jdjk7]

@@Xoruam Hah-- you know, I think I accidentally swapped the phrases in my head. I think prima nocte has to do with "first night".

[@Kyrmana]

If I fall asleep too early I sleep 4h, wake up for 4h and then sleep 4h again. That might be fine but it messes with my memory and time perception so I try not to...

[@TheKarret]

The internet is the fae world: You step in it, thinking 30 minutes have gone by, and it turns out you've been MIA for 6 hours.

[@Thenoobestgirl]

Holy shit I love that analogy

[@CHRF-55457]

Lol

[@dogwalk3]

i thought you meant "Fresh Air Exchange" at first. 🤭

[@hulamei3117]

​@@dogwalk3I still don't know what "fae" means.😮

[@joshfloyd7755]

​@@hulamei3117 fea from the old Germanic Feanendrea or forest spirit

[@TheDhammaHub]

At night, the stress of the day fades with all the distractions and the problems we have "surface". That's when problems are most obvious/immediate problems often motivate us to change things

[@tuskular]

100%

[@theUnbridledCreative]

"Our brain chooses an immediate gain over an uncertain, long-term gain." The future is uncertain, but the pasta is now

[@hulamei3117]

Love pasta😂😅😊

[@werewolf1e]

If i don't have anything to do in the morning (and put an alarm), i automatically go into the waking up at 11-12am and sleeping at 3-4am. Everyone talks about that "morning energy", but I've never experienced that in my life. Being awake in the morning is suffering for me, so I don't know how you would get more "morning dopamine".

[@SoLongSpaceCat]

I feel dat

[@doms5755]

For me it’s early morning like 5-6 am not 8-9

[@fk5774]

Same

[@kylespevak6781]

If you generally procrastinate and such, yes. But I used to work overnight, and when my alarm would sound, I'd be out of bed, through the shower, eat, and out the door within a half hour. When you make yourself get up immediately and do stuff, you skip the whole tired and groggy thing

[@sushi926]

I found out that waking up earlier (and sleeping less overall but still a reasonable amount) counter-intuitively gave me more energy. But for some reason I couldn't keep that up, I have no idea what my circadian rhythm is supposed to be. But I'm pretty sure waking up after 10am and going to sleep late makes me more miserable, even if I get the same amount of sleep.

[@bonnacon1610]

Because the midnight hour is a time of low expectation: you can imagine that all those people who want stuff from you - your teacher, your boss, your editor, your auditor, your supervisor, your whatever - are asleep (probably!) and out of your hair. No-one expects anything from you, and the in absence of that godawful expectation, that never-ending thrum of the external locus of evaluation, your own energy, your authentic internal locus of control, comes soaring back. In short: this is one of those areas where it's society that's dysfunctional, not you - your soul wants freedom, but society wants to own your ass. Rebelling against this debilitates you physically, yes - you'll be exhausted the next day alright - but spiritually it makes complete and utter sense.

[@aprilmidnight101]

There is a large crossover with ADHD and a sleep disorder called Delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD) meaning your circadian rhythm is later than normal. This the typical night owl who can't force themselves to sleep earlier at a socially acceptable time. It's also found that trying to conform to a "normal" sleeping time when you have a later circadian rhythm can be not beneficial and you may not get good sleep. Research shows at the moment that for these people, adjusting work and life around your sleep is healthier, than being sleep deprived. Thought it would be interesting to mention as everyone's circadian rhythms also affect when we feel motivation, early morning people feel more so in the morning, night owls late at night. The most important things is that you are having good consistent sleep, when you go to bed isn't always necessarily a bad thing if you can work around it, it's just difficult when the world is set on a 9-5 schedule. EDIT: Noticed a few comments talking about how their circadian rhythm is longer than 24 hours, this is likely NOT dspd, but something called Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder meaning your body doesn't follow a consistent 24/7 routine in terms of sleep. Usually people with DSPD, when allowed to go to bed at consistent times end up getting fairly good quality sleep. Having a circadian rhythm that falls outside the regular 24 hours will result in your sleep constantly being pushed back, not it just being later than socially normal.

[@Canadian_Eh_I]

Man I so relate to this comment. Ive struggled with this my whole life. Even as a little kid. Its 7:25am and Im not sure whether to sleep or stay up all day :P

[@patrick1126]

Is the circadian rhythm in people with DSPD "later" or does it just drift easier? Since the circadian rhythm is just a 24 hour clock and doesn't necessarily have to follow the day/night cycle. Oh nevermind I read up on it. So it's when people have a circadian rhythm that doesn't follow a 24 hour rhythm.

[@GermanBoy00]

my problem is that my "24h day" doesn't actually last 24 hours, but 26 hours. But my awake time is about 18 hours. So if I need 7-8 hours to sleep I'm at 25-26h instead of 24hours. I can't force myself to go to sleep earlier but when I fall asleep I can't force myself to stand up untill I haven't sleep out (18 + 7 or 8 = 25/26) Edit: Jesus Christ I just googled for DSPD and it describes exactly my problem.

[@mattsnow4125]

I fall heavily into this category but I would recommend melatonin. It has helped my natural 25.5 hr rhythm become a 24, two weeks ago I was going to sleep at 3 am and with melatonin I’m at a “normal person” 6:30 am wake up time. Please try it it’s changed my life

[@anobeus4814]

My sleep schedule always shifts naturally to about 1 hour late. It's so annoying. At the end of the week I'll wake up at 0 am.

[@justinsanity501]

As a huge night owl in college, I feel like it was great being able to work on stuff alone and not be bothered by outside noise or people texting / calling me. It was bliss, just me, a book, and homework problems. I would even go for late night walks since I lived on a relatively safe campus, which really helped me work through stuff in my head. Loved being a night owl.

[@LenweTaralom77]

This is literally exactly my life, but I never found the words to describe this to my therapist or doctor. I can only concentrate and I only feel in control of my decisions when it‘s nearly time to go to sleep again. Thanks a lot!

[@GldnClaw]

Bookmark Being with yourself (meditation) 24:00 Study yourself, experiment and understand first. "Do not touch a piece of technology the first hour of the day" 28:30 If your material success is tied to the dopaminergic circuit in the nucleus... then you can be successful and do this. The challenge for most of us is that the dopamine hit is NOT tied to this success. 30:00 reset sleep schedule: easier to stay up when tired, then go to sleep when you are not Leave the house without phone, have a very simple plan (next 2 hours only) 35:40 "What is the next, best thing I can do?" (not objective best, but what I can do. Don't have to be perfect) 40:15 Different computer for work than gaming Avoid getting on the dopamine train

[@colsoncustoms8994]

“A serpent uncoiling, your mind will go into absolute rebellion” Never heard it put into words so well, telling yourself “you can wait another 30 minutes for that first cigarette if the day” makes for an eye opening experience regarding the autonomy of ones inner dopamine fiend.

[@JD2jr.]

I did that last week with caffeine. It was kinda wild, but also emphasized by the fact that you're thinking about not doing something, which still makes you think about it.

[@100hundert]

@@JD2jr. oh man, definitely! That's what makes quitting something so hard, because by focusing on not doing an action, it still stays active in your mind. Being aware that this is just the nature of how our brain works can be the first step of overcoming it.

[@liampett1313]

Your mind is an excellent servant but a terrible master - David Foster Wallace.

[@hulamei3117]

Like my first cigarette in the morning ! Addiction on steroids!

[@JD2jr.]

Holy shit, this is legitimately useful advice. even the "I can't tell you exactly what to do, you have to understand it first" was used as a preface to actually helping to understand and then give suggestions, rather than a cop out to seem smart but not help anything. Thanks, my guy!

[@amaurys93]

I would like to hear Dr. K weigh in on how the 9 to 5 routine is fatiguing to the psyche. I have so little energy after powering through a customer service* work shift. It’s needless to say that work is taxing, but certain jobs yield more compassion fatigue than others and at the end of the day My capacity for empathy and self-preservation is so low I have difficulty doing anything but binging food, weed, and then trying to pass out afterwards to repeat the cycle again.

[@rotmuscaria]

He actually did a bit on work burnout, though I can't remember the title. It was either something about burnout or the one that says your job doesn't care about your mental health Unfortunately it seems from his perspective it's the job's fault so I don't know if there's much you can do from your end other than trying to hunt for something better. I wish you luck, I understand how miserable jobs are that sap all of your mental energy.

[@NinjaKittkatt]

Customer service jobs will unfortunately always be draining. High work load demand, little to barely useable pay. Not to mention the current working environment means there's less employees so everyone has to pick up the slack without any extra compensation. It really does come down to how the store is managed though. Personally, I've come to realize the "best" customer service jobs ("best" as in, you have no other options) are ones that don't involve food service or actively selling to customers all day. If I'm going to get paid minimum wage, I expect to only have to give minimum effort to get through a shift so therefore I've learned to look for a job where I can stand at a register and zone out. Surprisingly that's a lot more manageable for mental health than a job where you have to keep your brain and feet active for the full shift.

[@JustinK0]

lol thats has nothing to do with a 9 to 5 job, customer service is just a shit job. i did it for 6 years

[@andystark993]

I would like to see more of this subject as well, regardless of the job 9-5 is not working for the XXI century :/

[@sushi926]

I'm a programmer and working 8 hours of work a day (including 15min break every hour) is absolutely impossible if I'm supposed to be functional afterwards. It's like our jobs evolved to strain the brain more but schedule didn't change much. I think 9 to 5 could work with more physical-oriented jobs where your body clearly tells you when it needs a break. Like making furniture for 8 hours sounds kind of doable apart from imminent back/joint pain in 20 years. But then you consider construction work with unreasonable project schedule.

[@descai10]

The problem with trying to avoid the "dopamine train" in the morning is that it results in all my energy being used to avoid doing the activity instead of being used to do something productive.

[@hevanen1]

That's why you should take a walk. Once you're out the door, it costs you no mental energy anymore.

[@Marqan]

It's extremely hard to not do something tempting. It's much easier to do something else instead, even if it's a dull activity. That's why Dr K said to leave home and take a walk, work out, cook etc.

[@opliko]

@@hevanen1 Taking a walk with adhd is so incredibly difficult it exhausts you more than doing nothing. Cycling is a godsend though for me

[@Hexanitrobenzene]

@@Marqan You reminded me of one particular procrastination pattern: - I NEED to do A - But I WANT to do B - I can't do B, so I end up doing C, which is neither really productive nor that much fun...

[@hulamei3117]

😂😅😊😮 me too!

[@darkbeetlebot]

I feel like there are more reasons behind this sort of behavior than what was detailed here. For me, I just feel more "at home" at night, for lack of a better term. It's comfortable. In the day, I'm stressed for reasons I don't really understand. It's like my brain is expecting things that don't happen, which causes anxiety. And even though I prefer the night, I still get that same feeling but for a different expectation. I think, ultimately, my issue is less about addiction and more about loneliness. For personal reference, I know I can do without a computer as long as I have something else to do. Honestly, the internet can be pretty boring at times and I want nothing more than to do something else. The only issue is that there's nothing. Every other option is either impossible for external reasons or less interesting. So my only options are either do the same thing I always do, or find a new thing I enjoy within the internet. Additionally, I too have always wanted to write a book. I still do. I used to have tons of motivation for it. But lately, my problem isn't really what you described, it's more just the whole idea, the whole process in its entirety. Even if I lie in bed in total darkness for hours on end, alone with nothing but my thoughts, I still won't be able to do it. I never used to have this problem, and I have no idea what changed between then and now to cause this besides just having a shit life. I'm totally at a loss. I want to, I just can't. Really, not enjoying anything has been a problem for a while now.

[@lukaszenko10000]

you have needs that are more important than writing a book, try explore what they are, fulfill them and then with no resistance you should be able to write your book or do other things you always wanted but for some reason can't right now

[@darkbeetlebot]

@@lukaszenko10000 That's actually not something I really thought too much about. Makes sense, considering the hierarchy of needs. Even something innocuous like one's integrity of safety that we usually take for granted can do something like that.

[@ordinarytree4678]

@@darkbeetlebot a mantra that also helps me as someone living the graveyard shift (which honestly I feel more productive living the night shift than I ever have on days, I think its because Im living at home and being on the nights gives me 8 hours guarenteed silence and separation from my housemates so I can focus on work) Anyway, a mantra that helps me when Im feeling unmotivated: "this is all part of the path. Even the stumbling and the failed steps is part of my path, they are what Im supposed to be doing. When you have a broken ankle, you cant expect you steps through life to be as easy as they were before, it is all gucci, you are still on the path even if you think youre not doing enough."

[@darkbeetlebot]

@@diydylana3151 the only notification-heavy social media I use is discord, and those mostly come from private messages. And no, I haven't taken medication like that. My only medications are HRT, IBS meds, and vitamin supplements.

[@disorganizedclutter5513]

I relate. I feel like the daytime gives me a feeling of emptiness and feeling lost. And the loneliness and pointlessness of life is there, making it hard to feel like there's a point to anything I accomplish. At night, I don't feel so lost and things start to make more sense. Sometimes I feel like it's because, earlier in the day the I'm just seeing a long unfulfilling day ahead of me and suffer with existential confusion. But at night, I don't have that whole empty day to think about, if that makes sense.

[@shannonjones8877]

"Go for a walk and leave the phone at home." That's funny because i usually bring my phone with me when i go for walks precisely so i can listen to videos like these lol. Everything is a trap.

[@singularityraptor4022]

I take phone for safety cos you may never know what may happen.

[@6500s1]

@@singularityraptor4022 what safety lol? What if you lose the phone or get it stolen, is it safety then too?

[@peroh3408]

@@6500s1 emergencies and such?

[@notlucas6859]

@@6500s1 getting lost?

[@thierryfaquet7405]

@@6500s1 I’ve literally saved a life 3 years ago witnessing a car crash and being able to call for help swiftly. So yeah, it’s a nobrainer phones save lives. Must be really dumb to not understand this…

[@SystemSearcher]

I wrote my entire Diploma between 3 and 6AM, because that was the only time when I could get my writing juices going. But they always got going so strongly that I often managed to put out an entire chapter in a single night/morning, and in the end I'm pretty sure my diploma was the largest when compared to everybody else in my course >>

[@antoynebeaucheminroy9197]

ive been struggling with severe depression since a long time ago and I had one perdiod of three months where my internal state was getting WAY better. I had a relapse due to a traumatic event and since then (5years ago) I didnt get better. When Dr.K said the phrase: ask yourself what is the next best thing that I can do, it hit a homerun within myself. It made me remember that it is what I was doing back then and it reignited my hope. to all of you who feel hopless, there is hope!!! you just have to ask your self, what is the best thing I could do next!!! (tips for noobs: the best thing to do is not always a THING to do but often a state of mind to be reached, example if you find it hard to find an answer because of brain fog, confusion, etc... doin anything (meditation, walk,etc...) that can help you bring more clarity of mind is in itself the next step!!!) GOOD LUCK YALLL!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ethanbrown2019]

I like how he says "pound caffeine" at like 4-6pm. Buddy, I don't need caffeine to be up all night. Insomnia is my caffeine. And the silence is my drive.

[@SobrietyandSolace]

Same here, I never touch caffeine but rarely get to sleep before 4-5am and when I do sleep I get a lots of hypnagogia, then hypnopompic hallucinations on waking/attempting to awaken. I got too much anxiety and GI issues for stimulants

[@lollycopter]

I start "pounding*" caffeine at night when I feel ready to push through to the next evening for a reset. If I don't, the temptation to hit the sack at dawn (or even after dawn) is higher. *Usually it's in the form of a Coca-Cola knock-off, so it still ends up being less than the amount of caffeine in a standard coffee, because I normally don't drink much caffeine in any given week. Energy drinks are too expensive and I'm too lazy/cheap to improve on instant coffee.

[@adamcrane4071]

@@lollycopter ppl really out here living my life

[@blueleafy7167]

After school I usually take a 4-5 hour nap, or you could say that's my actual sleep. I usually stay up until around 4-5am and then go to sleep and wake up at 7am. So 4pm is basically when I get my full rest.

[@wout1064]

watching this at night sure does make the goal of not doing the dopaminergic things in the morning tomorrow look easy

[@Zero60133]

Noticed that too, it's not that i am unmotivated during the day, but i am unfocused. There are exceptions of course, but i noticed after 00, or 01 am, my mind is simply more clear much of the time. It's like an entirely different state of being, i am still me, but all this stress, these worries, they just clear out, it's like a certain part of brain that's holding me back, just stops working at that time. I feel more active, more alive, and more focused. I spend a lot of time drawing, it's one of my motivations to get better, make my own comic and generally just be good at it, and often i feel like it's not good enough and that it will never be good enough, but at night i am free of some of these worries, i do stuff and am more capable in basking in simple pleasure that i AM making slow and steady improvements, i don't keep telling myself it's still not good enough, i just feel this rush of motivation to try and be better than before, and that feels enough to keep me going. It is almost addictive, once i find myself in such a state i don't wanna go to sleep, i stay up until morning or at least until i can't even sit properly any more, because at these moments, for once i feel truly alive, like something makes sense, and i don't feel weighted down by myself.

[@DreamQuillRose]

The way you phrased this is beautiful. :) I feel the same way about writing stories.

[@MysticZefer]

If I feel like writing laying in bed I do. if I feel like I need to lift some weights before bed I will. This is a fantastic video. My creative juices are much better at night and it's probably because of lack of distractions in reality. Thanks.

[@Trinity_505]

I feel so depressed, grumpy and tired every day of waking up. Like no feelings of excitement no matter what I have going on that day. I need like 3 hours to become human. I also have a chronic pain condition that makes my mornings very difficult. And then once the pain resides after yoga, movement, dopamine etc, my mind clears up as well, as if I have brain fog before the afternoon. Im forgetful, I can focus but I won’t be able to give my best, for example automated tasks are fine but I wont think outside the box, notice errors etc. no clue what to do about this, I’ve tried different sleep/wake up times, working out at different times of the day, nutrition etc and nothing ever makes my mornings better lol

[@CherryBerryFashion]

Two things- Have you addressed the thing that is causing your depression? - the real root cause of it, instead of calming the symptoms. Second - Are you taking pills for depression? If so they can be to blame for the fogginess because they impair neurons health in the brain.

[@Trinity_505]

@@CherryBerryFashion yeah working through a lot of stuff and proud of myself for the progress, I think with each step I get closer to the root issue. Not taking any meds though (except bc). But to describe my “morning grumpiness” a bit better, I’m able to function quite well most of the time and don’t feel negative emotions, it’s just that the first few hours of being awake it’s as if I’m not present, I feel almost like those rats they experiment on, who don’t even reach for food when they’re hungry 😅 literally no desire for anything whatsoever, not entertainment, food, basic needs, movies, music…I still do these things of course, it’s just that I don’t feel a necessity nor desire for them. Sometimes this extends into the day, this feeling of being there physically but not being there at all, not perceiving time or events somehow? I wouldn’t say dissociated, more like nihilism extend into my brain wiring. Also appreciate your reply^^

[@sevmikkelsen2720]

Hey friend, I don't have chronic pain but I do have a sleep/wake disorder called idiopathic hypersomnia. I felt the need to respond because I share some of your symptoms, mainly needing literal hours to become human in the morning and just a fuckton of brain fog. It's hard! It's just hard. I feel a step removed from reality at least 25% of the time. Mornings are simply the worst. My brain isn't awake, and my body won't be either if I'm not careful. I often feel like a corpse for the first part of my day. And I have brain fog randomly and sporadically - some days there's just no brain in here. I'm not trying to say that we have the same experience, but I'd argue that they're simillar enough for me to say you're not alone. I know what it's like to have bad brain wiring. It's tough, but that's okay.

[@Trinity_505]

@@sevmikkelsen2720 I appreciate your words and hope you can optimize things in order to feel better. I was never a sucker for supportive comments but yours has touched me lol. Also, maybe a random question, but do different time zones/climates affect your condition?

[@harasen_haras5]

I watched this video last night. Today I started out the day with breakast and then pulled out my sketchbook instead of opening up Krita on my PC. 2 hours in I grabbed my phone and checked messages as well as opening up a couple of character references I needed. I managed to complete a 3 panel story in 7 hours. Some of my digital drawings can take several days in which I would both doze off and spend more time than intended in Animal Crossing. I think having kept my distance from the computer's noise makes a difference too. I tend to doze off when I hear a lot of noise for extended periods of time. Right now that I'm on my PC at 3am I'm ready to see what else I can do with my day.

[@eonryan8491]

3:48 - blocking adenosine after blocking dopamine in rats 4:43 5:39 6:20 - 3 states of dopamine&adenosine 7:01 - dopamine and adenosine have antagonistic property 8:25(8:52) - fatigue groove 9:52 - why you start studying at 6pm (relation with dopamine and adenosine) 10:49 - key thing about the twinky rat study 11:11 - what happened after 6 pm(why you can study after 6) is the adenosine counters the dopamine to do other things, so that you are not controlled by the dopamine anymore 11:25 - because dopamine is high in the morning, we are motivated to do dopaminergic activities during that time 14:46 - answer to video title 18:47 - if you’re on your phone in bed, you’re not gonna have an ounce of motivation 21:19 - meditative state ideal state 22:03 - takeaways 24:34 - biggest thing, don’t use tech the first hour of the day 34:48 - next best step 37:01 - key of building a habit 40:36

[@caitlinashberry932]

This video filled in a bit of reframing that I have been needing for a long time. I have always had this sense that "I need to get up earlier" but I could never sustain it. The adenosine piece really helped because it reframed it from "I should get up earlier because then my mornings won't be rushed" to "That's my brain at it's best and I want that best for me instead of rushing out the door and using all the mental capacity for work." Just getting up, showering, eating something, sitting with a cup of tea, and then doing an hour of writing before I even start getting dressed for work has led to me feeling so much more in control of my life. It's my brain and it's my time. I don't want to try and fit in my creative work on the adenosine fueled dregs of the day. I want to do my stuff when my brain has the best shot at doing it well. I just found this one again and it's been about a month of grabbing hold of my morning and I wanted to say thank you for that piece.

[@pavelh756]

Everyone: Get rid of technologies during your work Me, a software dev: Seriously...?

[@blacklistnr1]

dns block social media :))

[@zeekjones1]

I have to keep my tech close, since I'm a jack of trades getting contacts more online than by phone, and from many time zones at that. So... Unless I stop taking commissions and become a farmer, same here. Any time of day or night, I could get( _...or miss_ ) a contact.

[@spaghetti5914]

as an insomniac, this won't do shit, I have been like this since a toddler

[@hevanen1]

What you can do (besides having a work computer and a private computer, which is honestly the best solution) is to disconnect yourself from the internet. I'm also a software dev and I literally used to remove my ethernet cable while I was working to prevent distractions.

[@dachr2]

@@hevanen1 How is Stack Overflow going to do my work for me then?

[@kylespevak6781]

38:30 I also would like to add that just because you've already messed up doesn't mean that you should continue. On one of my language learning apps there was a function to see if you could go for a whole month of studying. But instead of having a normal streak where it counts each day in a row it would instead see how many days out of 30 you did. Applying this concept to addictions seems very powerful. Just because you relapsed today doesn't mean that you're now back to being an addict. Realize you messed up and aim to improve by moving forward healthily

[@Rosterized]

fatique groove is awesome when it hits during gaming, some of my best gaming multiplayer highlights/moments were made when I was pretty damn tired but somehow still hyperfocused. Would not intentionally chase it tho, get your sleep people

[@mistyculous9644]

During the time when I was living an hour away from school & had my own business, I researched sleep schedules. The one that worked the best for me was: 2 hours (A full sleep cycle) from 4-6:30pm, then another sleep cycle from 4AM-6:45Am So, I was staying up all day and then sleeping at the end of the day, then staying up all night and sleeping at the end of the night. It really worked for me! When I got together with a bass player who needed someone to drive him home after gigs at 2AM, I just swung into that schedule again - it was Wonderful!

[@AuroOfOsnem]

An interesting habit that I've developed is linking my gaming to work. I predominantly play genshin impact right now, and there is basically no endgame. You get in, you do your dailies, spend your resin (energy for farming upgrades in general), collect your rewards, then you get out. And I've come to a realization that after I find that there's nothing more to do in-game, it's easy to just close it and quit. What I've done, since my work is at my computer, is link this closing of genshin to, as you put it, boarding a train, in my case, the work/project train. My question is, is this a good thing? Is my work suffering from getting a hit of dopamine just before starting? I do seem to notice a general tiredness while working like this, but I've never really felt not tired when doing work tbh.

[@rmt3589]

17:17 Clicking on this video, I thought you were gonna talk about how I get motivated at midnight, then stay up 8 hours working, just to have no time to sleep for the next day. I also will grab my phone and write notes as I have motivation, sometimes writing new documents.

[@finalflash98]

What about when you downplay the severity of the work you need to finish even as you approach 12 am and keep procrastinating until the last few hours before the deadline . I feel like that's a dangerous place to be in, it's one I've been in for the past couple months.

[@destroyonload3444]

Check out a book (don't judge the title as being obvious) called The More You Do The Better You Feel. I'm under the impression that everyone is a habitual procrastinator about something, and if they tell you they're not, that's their smart procrastination brain tricking them. I'm talking everybody operating under the top 1% and perhaps even them. No one can say it's not at least partially true when so many people fail at their New Year resolutions (failing to build a good habit that will make them a better person). First of all, I found myself thinking that it's not so bad because the author clearly had fucked himself hard in life but still charted a path out, and I can equip myself with the tools I need to go after something more. Second, I was laughing hysterically as I could relate to so much of the BS we tell ourselves to rationalize putting things off. Another part that I about spit my coffee as I read it was what the author described as something we don't do that seems ridiculous at first and that was my first "aha" moment. We don't say to ourselves, "Tomorrow I'm going to wake up and procrastinate about that thing I need to get done multiple times throughout the day, and then get to bed with the procrastinator promise to follow the same routine the following day." That's in my own words, but the idea is that WE DON'T PLAN TO PROCRASTINATE. It was right there in that moment where I found "the liar" in me. I'm so rebellious I won't even listen to myself. This was the only book I ever found to talk about the double anxiety that I experience. The anxiety felt while actively putting things off which feels like a sting and the second form that comes after putting too many things off over time. That second anxiety feels like nihilism. I don't feel hungry, I don't want to do anything, I don't want more money, I don't want a better house, I don't feel 'not content' (double negative on purpose). To me the second anxiety is really fucked up and the worst non-feeling possible. It's probably akin to hell. Good on you for spotting this awful pattern early. You'll probably see some other times you did this earlier in life in retrospect. I know I did, and I have ample years of disciplined lifestyle like martial arts and military service, but I still found areas where I did this. Kill that fucking beast that's growing now because it only gets bigger.

[@finalflash98]

@@destroyonload3444 thanks for taking the time to write this. I'll check that book out for sure. :)

[@loveless131]

I totally agree with the having a work computer and an everything else computer. When I started the job I have now, I saw that using the same computer for work and play was making me stressed while out of work hours because my brain kept saying, "hey you can check emails" "hey you should do some documentation". Obviously everyone can't own two computers, but it can totally help. There are also programs that can be turned on to limit what programs you can and can't use while the program is active.

[@sulayenhanglimboo5110]

Use different os

[@loveless131]

@@sulayenhanglimboo5110 that might work for some people. But I doubt it would be terribly useful for me. The device itself carries the meaning more than how things look on said device. Also where the device is located. I keep work at my desk whenever possible.

[@abc1987625]

You could also use multiple user accounts or multiple operating systems to partition the same physical computer somewhat. I use Linux but have games in a separate Windows installation, not just because it's slightly easier to install them on Windows, but because of the enforced separation.

[@Josuh]

Yeah honestly I think just having 2 user profiles works just as fine

[@loveless131]

@@Josuh I'm sure it is a good solution for many. But I happen to be a bit overly contextual when it comes to work. Just changing profiles doesn't change the "feel" of the situation, even if browers or themes are different on the screen. Heck, I don't even like sitting in the same chair if I can help it, to keep the separation strong. It's the same idea as keeping the bed as a sleep and bed related activities only and leisure elsewhere so the association of other activities don't impede the minds focus on sleep when it is sleep time. I'm sure others do much better in this area than I do, but we all work with what we have and how our minds process things.

[@fedredora]

In the summer, I did some BRUTAL workouts at night - And I enjoyed it. Often struggled to get out of bed due to how sore I was but it was awesome. Late night motivation just hits different man

[@gnomgnomgnomgnomgnom2008]

He always starts with the pragmatic, hard scientific approach and then shows how it takes its roots into spirituality and beliefs systems we have.

[@L1Q]

this makes so much sense. I used to work a lot late nights after whole day of gaming oftentimes even pulling all nighters, even skipping sleep that day because then whole next day I would only think focus on productivity. everybody was happy I could find the groove, but I knew it was not healthy or sustainable. good experience to have in my early 20s I guess

[@jackmarshburn8537]

Lately I’ve been making it a point not to hit my vape for the first hour of every day. Turns out Dr. K’s wisdom was with me the whole time! Now to extend this to other aspects of my life!

[@tescobakery1927]

I'm a university student. What I do is wake up, study for an hour or two. Then I eat and drink some coffee and I let the food and caffeine kick in while I watch some KZbin. Then I study again for like half an hour and take the rest of the noon off. Then in the evening I spend another hour or two studying, then I take the rest of the night off. This has worked wonders for me. It's certainly more effective than studying 8 hours every day + 3 more hours of homework like in high school. Your brain actually gets time to absorb all the information while not overheating

[@alexanderm8975]

damn, I bet this would work for me

[@thierryfaquet7405]

4-5 hours of studying a day ??? What kind of university is that ? What are you majoring with so little time ?

[@tescobakery1927]

@@thierryfaquet7405 I'm not so inefficient I need 10 hours a day to memorize enough of the course material to pass the final exam. Don't tell me you try to learn everything perfectly word for word

[@thierryfaquet7405]

@@tescobakery1927 I don't say anything. My studying years are long over. You said that you take "the noon off" and "the evening off" which on top of not actually answering show you're totally bullshiting here. Anyone with an actual degree knows that what you said makes no sense you clown...

[@kionnakelly2918]

@@thierryfaquet7405 why are you responding in such an aggressive way?

[@JaleVeliki]

I'm a Night Owl, very intrigued by early birds and talked to ~10 Early Birds and ~10 Night Owls, all my age, all have jobs. The only consistent thing that kept happening and true conclusion what the "main difference" is - would be: - Night Owls have energy entire day + hate for the current day to end, because they are going to "have to start a new one, and they feel worst in the morning" - Early birds lose energy last 33% of day + are happy to end the day, because "they get to start a new one, and they feel best in morning"

[@umiluv]

I think I like that it’s so quiet at night. I’m not really going out so I have to find something to do at home. I’ve learned to be productive during the day but my issue is with falling asleep on time. I get ultra productive and then I can’t fall asleep at a reasonable hour unless I’m dead tired.

[@CALKULTIK]

I work as a dishwasher at a local pizza joint, and I can attest to everything he’s saying. When I don’t listen to music or a youtube video, my body enters a sort of automated state, dishwashing isn’t taking up much brain space so it’s just me and my thoughts. I’ve spent entire shifts coming up with worldbuilding ideas and scenes for some sort of comic I would draw in another universe where I never started making music. I’ve come up with an entire world in my head simply by thinking for a couple hours. I believe everyone should engage with this kind of “boring” stuff for at least a couple hours a week

[@aiiiia9971]

"There's no cost" The difference with me is I get up and actually do the thing and stay up late ruining my sleep schedule to chase the motivation and then feel like crap in the morning wondering why I did all those things

[@irfandaniel7322]

Same

[@pauline_f328]

Just wanted to give an example of someone on who the opposite of this worked (me). Starting to use my phone first thing in the morning was one of the best ideas I ever had. I am a maladaptive daydreamer. My first dopamine train of the day is daydreaming, and it is also the main one that distracts me from most things I try to do and makes me late to places. Reading a chapter of a webtoon first thing when I wake up helps it not take hold, and by the time I've finished the chapter, I'm awake and dynamic enough to get started on other things without daydreaming _too_ much. Things are better when my mental health is better, obviously. But daydreaming is the dopamine train for me that is both the easiest to access and the one that requires the less energy, on top of being the one that provides the most dopamine (to the extent that I will instinctively choose it over anything else like games and watching youtube and scrolling social media - and even eating, however many meals I accidentally put off because of it sometimes) - so having my phone right by is one of the best ways I've found for not allowing it to take off right off the bat when I wake up. Even watching youtube leads me to being more active

[@AaronMetallion]

It's very simple for me Dr. K (and many like myself), I'm an Introvert, and I live in a household where everyone is hyper-extroverted, and don't understand space, boundaries, or alone time. They're incapable comprehending what it means, and this has been the case since my childhood (so much so, I think I formed an early childhood blueprint around it). I'm an artist and a creative (both as a hobby, and now a profession), and I need a lot of time and space to function and create. Without it I feel drained, resentful, and detached from who I am. And so stay up at nights helps me regain a sense of control, space, and freedom by working around their schedule (you might even see this with parents, that never have space away from their kids). I reckon if my household were night-owls, I would be a day person instead. Personally, I find no need to change it as I'm able to create and thrive in my solitude, and the night is the source of all my motivation.

[@kylespevak6781]

30:16 used to work overnight and I would often take trips around the world. This is exactly my process for switching my sleep cycle from the overnight to the normal. You just stay up longer and pass out on time and then you're good

[@ItsAstie]

perfect timing lol, my sleep schedule is absolutely abnormal, sometimes i am a night owl and sometimes i have enough energy to spend the day and it goes on a cycle and its annoying.

[@paranormallettuce7227]

This is one of the most personally relevant videos I’ve seen from you in a while! I figured out back in highschool that I am productive for any period of time in the day before I pick up my phone but some of the advice like the next best step for right now blew my mind with how obvious it should be to the point I uttered “holy shit” right in front of my little brother lol

[@mintee8638]

One strategy I like to deal with video game addiction is, in the case of Dota, spend at least 15 minutes "prepping" for the game. For example, study Dota strategies. One could also try studying slightly more tangential things and then try to connect them together. Some examples are business strategy, video game creation, art design (such as character design), communication skills for multiplayer games, and so on, whatever things that one is interested in learning about that relates to doing well in that game. I've been able to lose interest in 2 games this way. I found I get a lot more value from a game through practicing some theory right after coming across it.

[@mintee8638]

@Plastic Pilgrim I have gotten more value out of my strategy than the uninstall strategy, assuming your strategy works 100%.

[@SwitchbackCh]

Interesting. I've been studying game development and design for some good years now, which also really came on around the time I entered that phase where I started losing interest in games. I don't think there's a cause-effect, but I do think that my dwindling interest in gaming became an outlet I could use to study them instead and analyse what I like and didn't like about the experience, using them in my own design ideas.

[@Scubadog_]

I've spent about 3 years in pretty intense introspection to come to these same conclusions. I kinda wish I had these videos sooner, but like you said, just verbally receiving this information isn't the same thing as actually understanding it yourself. It can serve as a good catalyst and reinforcement, if you end up doubting the path you've set out on, but ultimately you have to fuck up again and again before you really notice your personal patterns.

[@kiyokiyoko]

I like how this 47m video hasn't even been out 30m and people are answering the title as if they are trying to educate the professional therapist

[@valdius85]

I watched over 10h of his content and it helped me a lot. This is yet another video where the subject doesn’t fit my expectations of what he will talk about, in a very positive way. I was always studying late into the night but that caused me to be fat and rather bad in school. I struggle to study in the morning, and my life still requires plenty of studying. My mind is clear in the morning but my motivation sucks big time. I’ve noticed that a 30min light run makes my mind work much better. Weight lifting helps with controlling negative emotions.

[@ianimations1656]

I was literally writing about this exact behavioral pattern in myself (without the proper terminology) in my journal last night. When my adenosine had hit me for the night as i have now learned.

[@Headless_Hooman]

I find that simulating an evening environment to study can help a lot with getting in the mood to do things. Curtains closed, desk lamp on, and playing some beats. Also just starting the task that is bothering you is the biggest hurdle, and after that you have to stay relatively on task. I'm writing this while being off-task ironically, but I'm gonna go back to what I was doing.

[@st-jn2gk]

44:39 I don't know if any of you guys watched till the end, but dr k talked about a rat utopia experiment and some guy in chat said LA Simulator. I just wanted to share the joy.

[@Marsipan_art]

Your channel is literally my favourite, such concrete examples and advice to improve one's lifestyle! Thanks a lot!

[@rilijohnmichael]

I discovered that at night I can go longer on studying because I have less things to worry about, also because it's a lot more quiet at night, add a pair of isolating or noise cancelling headphones and it's full on marathon of just studying. The headphones don't even have to have music, just the quietness makes me more productive.

[@GrailSidhe]

I actually do become active during the night following the inspiration/motivation, the only setback is if I'm living with someone and have to be quiet, which really bothers me. It's like life feels and is awesome at night.

[@stendaalcartography3436]

26:07, This does apply to me. Stoners recognized early on, there's this thing called Wake n' Bake to say that first high is the best high, and it's also true for other dopamine rewards. And they feel less and less good as you get more tired(build up of adenosine). But what if you do spend your first hours walking/exercising, eating, cleaning then the first thing you do after that is the dopamine chase, and now you wait to dopamine hold is weak and "be a night owl"?

[@YTsimxn]

This is incredibly helpful.

[@zzz181085]

the question that bothered me all my life. thank you!

[@chaohord]

Understanding the adenosine/dopamine cycle really feels like finding a cheat code to life, it explains so many of my proudest moments. That's so cool. Shoutouts to accidentally falling asleep early and being too groggy to pick up my phone before taking a 5 am shower.

[@mixuaquela123]

I learnt so much, thank you Dr K. You're the guy the internet needs.

[@curl8686]

I'm your typical guy who struggles with finding motivation for his writing and this insight into the inner workings of my cranium is immensely helpful. The dopamine train often does hit me first thing in the morning.

[@ayyylien7066]

I related to almost everything he said here, except that I'm self employed so I really CAN get the motivation to work out at 2am and be like "OK LET'S GO!!" and then I spend 3 hours there and then next thing I know I'm sleeping in until noon again 😅

[@andreipopescu7636]

I think that really describes my issue with work schedule and sleep. Thanks a lot, I will try to be conscious about my dopamine train opportunities. 3 traits for the early morning activities are pretty clear and concise

[@myflyingkidney]

Actually now that he is mentioning writing as an example, yes you should absolutely write at night if you feel the inspiration. I always write at night if I am writing fiction as it is much more honest. As you get to towards the end of the day, your mind gets fatigued and you stop instantly judging your ideas and stuff you write, and instead you just write as your thoughts flow and don't think about whether it is good or not. Other thing is when you get very sleepy your imagination starts going wild and if you can force yourself to stay in that dreamlike state while you write amazing things happen, the ideas come forth that you never thought existed in your brain. It is similar to what hemingway said "write drunk, edit sober". Being drunk is not the healthiest idea, but being sleepy comes close enough. So yes, write at night, edit the next morning when you are rested.

[@mandarinadreux9572]

you are so right. I like to write fiction too and the entire storyline for my "novel" in the making came to me one night when I lay in bed, not yet sleeping but in this flowy dreamlike state when ideas just sorta "come" to you. It was amazing.

[@swagmiredoesall]

When I get motivated at night I do actually get up and do the things I think of doing like exercising, and writing music (I also write music here and there during the day too). Also I would close at my job so I feel more motivated at work as it goes on, but I don't work stupidly late. This video enlightened me as to why I enjoy doing things like that though.

[@samacvuk]

I can only get motivated after I'm physically exhausted, like some primal caveman instinct of survival has awoken, enabling a higher state of existential awareness.

[@PatalJunior]

43:19 At least on new IOS update you can change when the notification mode changes between sleep / work / home, and you can personalize what notifications come is so that you don't get distracted by said notifications. And it even changes your homescreen to have the apps you chose on that mode, that could help a lot.

[@dannycat3970]

The clean, professional way he utters the phrase "~shower thoughts~"

[@tymotih]

This all does make a lot of sence now. I've told people a lot of times that when I go swimming (just laps of a slow pace) it puts me in a "meditative state" where my thoughts just roam free without distractions. Having this explanation does make me understand everything better and motivates me to go for a swim more often as it's both good for physical and mental health.

[@brandonmcnemar3477]

It'd be really interesting to hear him talk about "addicted to Dr. K", ie you give yourself permission and even feel productive listening to Dr. K so you continually listen to Dr. K instead of actually doing the work you need to.

[@TheVRSwordsman]

38:37 That is probably the best quote you could every use in life. Thank you for making this, truly changing lives.

[@skaels]

After years of being on call and having to wake up and immediately be ready for work, this topic you covered really spoke to me. I need to find a way to re-wire my brain to be more in the post wake up sort of super brain, dreamy, more imaginative and stuff. edit: There's a certain kind of zen moment, when you only have 10 minutes to drink your coffee and enjoy what is left of your morning...where that 10 minutes feels like it can last wayyyy longer. Man I miss smoking too, those times really came in clutch. It feels like we're just racing against the clock sometimes. I wonder if this no technology would include white noise or thunderstorms for sleeping.

[@BauKim]

I think that last question is a really big part of why people get on the dopamine train. If they are only use to feeding themselves dopamine, the lack of dopamine from an emotional stand point looks like death. However if you give that moment of silence a try, you begin to start realizing that it's not that that bad, and in fact becomes much more rewarding. It is, however, an incredibly hard train to stop taking. But you don't have to go cold turkey. Just as long as you don't get stuck on there forever. Small steps.

[@Sk0lzky]

30:20 Get light within (preferably natural, it's partially about the specific ratio of waves but mainly the volume, most protocols suggest 10k lumens for 10-30minutes) after getting up. Avoid any light before sleep and during the night (candle level of brightness is fine), preferably even a couple of hours. Exercise in the morning if you can, intense but not like draining because... I forgot the reason for this one lol You can shift your circadian clock a couple hours back within a week (there are even more spectacular results but that required very specific environment)

[@laurelsporter]

Tell that to my neighbors. I came across this video looking for something I can replace blackout shades and curtains with, short of taping plastic over the windows. Everybody loves to keep high-CCT LEDs on 24/7, so it never gets dark, and the light intrudes from all angles. I pray for a real estate crash, so I can afford to get away.

[@Sk0lzky]

@@laurelsporter I've recently moved and I'm in the same boat kek I legit want to die, I tried taping a thick quilt to the wall over the window butt it keeps falling off (+it kinda gets cold at night and I only have a thin blanket). I've also measured the luminosity outside at 7 am and it's 700 lux, and moving my huge diy lightbox from home makes no sense. Gotta suffer through it I guess Edit: I just thought about the tape thing and maybe getting sheets of cardboard and taping them on for the night will work? XD

[@EdwardMillen]

​@@laurelsporter Wow that sounds bad. I've got "temporary" blackout blinds stuck to my bedroom window, they stick onto the glass with suction cups (so they don't end up with massive gaps round the edges like actual installed blinds or curtains), and they do a pretty good job of blocking nearly all the light even during the day (just a tiny bit gets round the top edge when the sun is up, not through the blind itself, so it's still pretty dark, and could probably avoid even that by taping the top to the window frame or something). There are various similar ones on Amazon etc

[@moritzrothacher2669]

The train thing is insanely helpful. I use to take my laptop to my university and work there, even if I could theoretically be way more productive on my home setup with multiple screens. The focus when you literally cannot do much more than study at the place that you choose to study on is just unmatched.

[@leeannsmith_]

Definitely! Discovered this before having to study for my finals. When I have to workout at home, I keep on procrastinating. When I drive to the gym, I have to workout then. When I had to study at home, I’d keep on procrastinating. When I drove to a coffee shop, I’d study for hours! Saved my finals marks too!!!

[@Jacob-jz1pc]

I’m in a state now where I find his explanation of the “fatigue groove” more fascinating now that I am in a “fatigue groove” at 3 am. I’m going to bed now though so hopefully my interest in this video carries over to tomorrow noon! I’ve watched 12 minutes.

[@EdwardMillen]

Yeah I didn't manage that, watched the whole thing and then read a bunch of (interesting) comments, now it's 5am lol

[@chatter2765]

People think that it's easy to get out of an addiction, or a habit, when in reality your mental representation of yourself screams from a distance at the back of your head, to just... stop and do something else. This video showed me more than what I could have expected.

[@NBABLVCKK]

Throughout the day, I look like a zombie, I usually just cry when I can 'cause yeah idk, and when it's like 2am I just write like 2 or 3 FULL songs till 6am and then cry some more go to sleep, don't get enough sleep and do that again, sometimes when I stay alone in the night I scream(like I'm learning to scream cause it's cool skill etc) and I can't even practice is cause everyone is sleeping, neighbors etc, and 2-6am is the only time I'm being productive and wanna learn something, practice something etc etc, but I can't always do that because my mental health is just fucked, sleep schedule is messed up, my productivity/dopamine throughout the day doesn't even exist, I'm like a zombie, I feel like I'm non stop drunk or high as fuck on some shit and other shit... I was just thinking about this the other night and I'm kinda happy this video is here, also for people who readin this till here, hey, don't give up, you can make it:).

[@raventimberwolf4825]

Used to study really late in college, do artwork at night etc. Also worked nights as a trade embalmer in the mortuary industry. Now that I am in a "normal" routine, I am awake in the morning and motivated, but then at 1:00pm I am pretty much drooling until 8-9pm I don't really understand why, and after 4 years its still happening. My diet is pretty good, I am on a whole food-plant based diet etc. but just so strange, I wonder though if my brain is so Vata, that I have to wait till my brain is more tired to be able to work properly. Night though has zero distractions, everyone is asleep, even friends, and its just myself. I generally easily overwhelmed by any stimuli

[@mcjcave18]

I think this is a good reason to exercise in the morning.

[@breakfastsushienjoyer]

This channel is one of the best things that has happened to KZbin.

[@ibeprofinn8890]

38:40 I felt like Dr. K was looking through my screen talking to me so I finally got up and turned off the loud annoying fan while the video was still playing, Dr. K paused while I did it and when I sat back down he said "got it?" I replied "yes" feeling a bit confident.

[@simulation8146]

So to touch on a couple of things. Music & reading does affect dopamine. Music to a significantly lesser degree, but if you listen to an audio book or read for hours in the morning, you're effectively turning the knob to a slow release of dopamine & youll be just drained at the end of that sesh. Listening takes A LOT of energy. Don't read early & use music supplementally.

[@Moose92411]

Yoga has actually been massively impactful on my ability to cultivate motivation at will during the day. That’s a really great point.

[@spencerstephens7594]

This might be my favorite video yet. Ridiculously interesting, valuable, and pragmatic. Thank you.

[@TimPortantno]

The Rat Utopia Experiment had no "walled off ones engaging in healthy grooming". I think he is thinking of "The Beautiful Ones," which is a bit of a sarcastic term, since they would socially isolate(including from each other) and excessively groom themselves all day, though unlike the rest they were physically healthy. If anything, especially when you consider that "grooming" is a self-soothing activity for the rats, it sounds like they went on their own dopamine treadmill to anchor themselves in their little utopia.

[@user-uq4gr5nl5o]

So, basically get away from people as much as possible. Got it.

[@gnomgnomgnomgnomgnom2008]

Man this feels like such a relief to stumble upon these explanations after years of being fed bullshit advice like "just force yourself it gets easier" and other bullshit that doesn't sustain itself in the long term. Thanks you so much for sharing these things Dr. K. This holds true in many fields. Being given bullshit advice about handling emotions that makes zero sense and is unapplicable in general.

[@OchiiDinUmbraa]

My mom told me that when i was a baby i used to look at the ceiling until 2-3 am and then i would wake up later than most babies. Im definitely a night owl.

[@michime7860]

I honestly never thrive in the mornings. I've always loved the night time since I was a baby, no matter how much my parents tried to change me. It's just that night time is calming and inspiring to me.

[@actualteddybear891]

When 12am hits I get the urge to exercise and clean my house top to bottom. Daytime is just gross.

[@myrkflinn4331]

Same. I keep getting out of my bed to get stuff done

[@michaelservetus5340]

Thank you for this. You don't know what this means to me. The "amalgamation of knowledge" you've described to explain the context of the relevant brain-chemistry, which you've also then skillfully tied together with effective, practical, and extremely helpful real-life examples, is to me a masterpiece of practical, life changing advice. I'm not using the term "masterpiece" lightly. This is no doubt for you simply a regular KZbin video of yours with you doing what you do; with you saying those things which by the year 2022 (when you apparently recorded this video) just come naturally for you. But, like a master-level painter who looks back at his regular work over a course of time and realizes there's that one piece that's just so special out of all the paintings he's ever painted only after many others recognize the painting as a masterpiece, or like a master-level musician who looks back at all the many melodies she's created over a course of time and realizes that one particular song she created during that time is actually her greatest work only after an audience is moved to tears and gives her a standing ovation, I believe you may be able to one day see what I see if you'll reflect on just how important, effective, and unique the advice is that you've communicated all within this one, masterful video.