Own the Day, Own Your Life

Optimized Practices for Waking, Working, Learning, Eating, Training, Playing, Sleeping, and Sex

by Aubrey Marcus

4.6(2,733 ratings)

11 min read

Brief overview

This book explores how to upgrade every aspect of your day—from the moment you rise to the moment you sleep—to create sustained energy, health, and motivation. It offers practical strategies on nutrition, movement, mental focus, rest, and relationships. Expect to discover how small, consistent habits can add up to transformational results that help you feel and perform at your best.

Introduction

We often feel owned by our schedules and responsibilities, struggling to fit in essentials like exercise or good sleep. This book proposes a radical approach: Own each day, one step at a time. By mastering small, concrete routines, you can spark big changes. The key is to focus on daily habits that amplify energy, clarity, and mental strength.

From the moment you wake up to the final seconds before bed, there are countless opportunities to optimize your life. It could be as simple as drinking better water, cultivating mindfulness on your commute, or structuring your meals for stable energy. Each action becomes a catalyst for living more intentionally.

Expect guidance that balances science with real-world practicality. By building momentum early in the day, you can navigate stress, improve your physical performance, and cultivate deeper connections. The goal is not perfection but consistent progress—so you can thrive in every area of your life.

Why Mornings Matter

Each morning sets the tone for the entire day. Hydration, movement, and exposure to bright light align your body’s internal clock. One recommended practice is the “morning mineral cocktail”: water, sea salt, and a squeeze of lemon. This blend replenishes lost electrolytes and wakes up your system.

Sunlight helps stabilize your circadian rhythm, signaling it’s time to be active. Meanwhile, gentle activity like walking or stretching circulates blood flow and eliminates sluggishness. By combining light, movement, and proper hydration, you lay the groundwork for steady energy rather than mid-morning crashes.

Instead of defaulting to caffeine first thing, consider giving your body real fuel. Once you learn to prime yourself with mineral water and natural movement, you’ll notice fewer dips in mood or attention. Small shifts early on can lead to a huge payoff by day’s end.

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What is Own the Day, Own Your Life about?

In "Own the Day, Own Your Life," Aubrey Marcus unveils a roadmap to optimize every moment, from sunrise to slumber. This guide is designed for individuals seeking a holistic approach to enhance daily habits across nutrition, exercise, focus, and relaxation. Marcus blends science with practical wisdom, offering readers the keys to sustained energy and mental clarity.

The book demystifies how small, deliberate changes can yield substantial results, transforming how you function, feel, and connect. Explore how starting with a revitalizing morning routine can catalyze a chain reaction of positivity in your life. By dissecting each aspect of the day, Marcus illuminates the impact of mindful decisions on your well-being.

Crucially, this book matters because it transcends typical wellness advice, advocating for a balanced lifestyle not through rigid rituals but through adaptable practices. It provides not just tips, but transformative insights on living with intention, making it a must-read for anyone looking to optimize their life one day at a time.

Review of Own the Day, Own Your Life

"Own the Day, Own Your Life" by Aubrey Marcus stands out with its actionable insights and refreshing approach to wellness. Instead of imposing drastic lifestyle changes, it encourages readers to implement minor, yet impactful habits tailored to their day. One significant strength lies in how it synchronizes modern science with easy-to-follow routines, enhancing its applicability for various lifestyles.

The author's pragmatic tips on optimizing every facet of daily life—from hydrating with a "morning mineral cocktail" to the benefits of deliberate breathing in cold showers—ensures that readers can apply these strategies without overhaul. Marcus's writing is straightforward, ensuring accessibility even for those new to such practices, making potentially complex wellness concepts understandable and relatable.

This book's artful balance of theory and practice resonates profoundly with those ready to redefine their days positively. While it targets all readers seeking an optimized lifestyle, it best serves busy professionals, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone ready to embrace intentional living. Marcus's recommendations come with a high endorsement from this reviewer, promising tangible benefits for those eager to invest in themselves.

Who should read Own the Day, Own Your Life?

Fitness enthusiasts keen on integrating balanced exercise routines that cater to both strength and mindfulness.
Busy professionals striving to enhance productivity and mental clarity without compromising well-being.
Individuals interested in adopting a holistic approach to health, incorporating diet, movement, and mindset.
People eager to explore cold and hot therapy techniques for physical resilience and stress management.
Readers seeking effective strategies for cultivating morning routines, managing work-related stress, and navigating social interactions with more mindfulness.

About the author

Aubrey Marcus is a prominent entrepreneur, author, and podcaster known for founding Onnit, a lifestyle brand focused on holistic health and "Total Human Optimization." He is a New York Times bestselling author with over 25 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. His book "Own the Day, Own Your Life" offers practical advice for optimizing daily routines, drawing from the latest studies and traditional practices. He also hosts the Aubrey Marcus Podcast, which has garnered over 100 million views, and has been featured in major publications such as Men's Health, Men's Journal, and Forbes.