What is a temperature minimum?

A temperature minimum, as defined by Andrew Huberman, is the point in a 24-hour cycle when your body temperature is at its lowest. It typically occurs about 90 minutes to 2 hours before your average waking time 1 2.

This temperature minimum is crucial for understanding and regulating sleep and wake cycles. Light exposure and other activities around this time can significantly impact your circadian rhythm. For instance, exposure to bright light two to four hours before your temperature minimum can delay your circadian clock, making you want to sleep and wake later 3 2.

Similarly, knowing your temperature minimum can help optimize work and productivity, as the best cognitive performance often occurs four to six hours after this point 4.