Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Close Banner
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

The Morning & Evening Routine That Helps This Biohacker MD Feel Her Best

Molly Maloof, M.D.
Author:
February 01, 2023
Molly Maloof, M.D.
Medical Doctor
By Molly Maloof, M.D.
Medical Doctor
Molly Maloof. M.D. is passionate about extending healthspan through her medical practice, personal brand, entrepreneurial and educational endeavors. Dr. Molly Maloof provides health optimization and personalized medicine to high achieving entrepreneurs, investors, and technology executives.
The Wind Down with Molly Maloof
Graphic by mbg creative x Hiba Q Omar / Pexels
February 01, 2023
We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.
Our sleep series, The Wind Down, provides a minute-by-minute peek into the wind-down routines that get well-being experts ready for bed. Today, we're relaxing with health span and precision medicine doctor Molly Maloof, M.D., who ends every day with a visit to her biohacker tool room.

I consider myself an excellent sleeper and someone who takes sleep really seriously. As a biohacker, I've tried all ways to optimize my sleep—and I sleep best when I'm maintaining a consistent schedule and following the protocols below. Sleep is my one nonnegotiable. Good sleep creates conditions where I feel I can solve problems more effectively and recover from stress appropriately. Without optimal sleep, I feel completely wrecked.

sleep stats written over line gradient
  • Average hours I sleep a night: 8
  • Ideal bedtime: 10–11 p.m.
  • Ideal wake-up time: 6–7 a.m.
  • Nightstand essentials: Books, eyemask, earplugs, tuning fork, essential oils, mouth tape (if I am feeling like it)
  • Favorite place I've ever slept: Esalen Institute
  • Sleep bad habit: Not sure I have one unless it's checking email too late, which rarely happens
  • Caffeine consumption: Very little these days but usually MUD/WTR since I designed their coffee detox program
  • How I track my sleep: Oura ring
my sleep routine written over gradient

It's important for me to maintain a healthy sleep schedule; it really does make a difference in my health. This is the morning and evening routine that helps me stay on track.

6 a.m.: I'm up and already thinking about how to optimize my day for rest. The first 15 minutes of the morning, right when you wake up, is such a powerful space for manifestation. Your brain is primed for programming. To program my day for success, I'll ask myself: How do I want my day to go? What do I want to be? What do I want to do?

6:15 a.m.: I don't check email first thing in the morning. Instead, I'll do a breathwork exercise or meditation to set the tone for the day. I really hate being rushed into the day. It does happen, but my ideal mornings are fairly open for me to design.

7 a.m.: I'll break my fast (typically 12 to 14 hours) to eat before I exercise and then shower, do my makeup and hair, and get ready for the day. If I'm not working out, I'm doing something restorative like using a sauna blanket or sitting in front of a red light for a little while.

8 p.m.: This may not come as a huge surprise, but I have a whole room of biohacking tools. I like to use some of these every night depending on how I'm feeling. Sometimes I'll lie on a BioMAT while I wrap things up from the day or read. Sometimes I'll lie on the PEMF mat. Sometimes I'll use the Theragun. I went a few months neglecting my recovery, but now I'm back to making it a priority.

Typically before bed, I will read and try not to watch TV (but I have been watching The White Lotus, because it's exceptional television). I try not to use my phone very much before I go to sleep. Usually, I will have the blue light turned way down on my phone so it doesn't keep me up at night. I also use blue blockers. Time-restricted feeding can be really helpful for enhancing sleep, so I don't eat while I'm winding down. One of the biggest mistakes people make is they eat too late at night, and that can actually affect their heart rate variability and their sleep.

9 p.m.: Most nights, I'll take a bath to wind down and relax. I'll read a book or magazine, watch something on my phone, or spend the time sitting in the tub and meditating. During the new moon and full moon, I also use this as a time to set intentions. Bathing is very important to me, and it's a good way to raise your body temperature before bed

9:30 p.m.: I start to wash up. Before I go to bed, I think it's really important to have proper oral hygiene; it's not just about brushing your teeth. I also floss and tongue scrape, but I don't use mouthwash (the Listerine inhibits nitric oxide production1). I wash my face—a habit I've had since I started wearing makeup in eighth grade—and apply whatever cream I'm using regularly. Right now it's the Young Goose mask.

9:45 p.m.: Before I go to bed every night, I'll check my schedule for the next day to see what time I have to get started in the morning.

9:50 p.m.: To bed I go! I love my bed so much. I have this amazing bed and mattress topper with really great bedding from the Company Store that my mom got me. I love getting into it every night.

10 p.m.: Once I am in bed, I like to spend a good 15 minutes before I go to sleep setting intentions and praying and visualizing, thinking through the life that I want to live. I love that space between sleep and wake, that beautiful liminal space where you can get into a theta-wave brain state and think about your life. It's a very powerful time.

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

What Is Meditation?

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins

Box Breathing

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

What Breathwork Can Address

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

Nutrition | Rich Roll

What to Eat Before a Workout

Nutrition | Rich Roll

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Nutrition | Sahara Rose

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Love Languages

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Related Videos (10)

What Is Meditation?

Box Breathing

What Breathwork Can Address

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

What to Eat Before a Workout

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love Languages

Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

More On This Topic

more Health
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.