15 Weirdest Health Habits Backed by Real Science

What if some of the most powerful ways to improve your health didn't require expensive gadgets, complicated routines, or the latest supplement trend?

In this rapid-fire solo episode, Darin shares 15 unusual, science-backed habits that can dramatically improve longevity, mobility, brain function, nervous system regulation, digestion, and overall vitality. From dead hangs and deep squats to humming, sunlight, boredom, and chewing your food more thoroughly, each practice is grounded in published research, not internet biohacking hype.

These are simple, practical habits you can start today that may have an outsized impact on your health over time. If you're looking for evidence-based ways to optimize your body without spending a fortune, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways.

What You'll Learn

• Why grip strength may be one of the strongest predictors of longevity
• How deep squats improve mobility and joint health
• The surprising connection between balance and lifespan
• Why humming boosts nitric oxide production
• The science behind mouth taping and nasal breathing
• How cold water can instantly calm your nervous system
• Why boredom fuels creativity and brain function
• The health benefits of intentional silence
• How awe can reduce inflammation
• Why soil microbes strengthen your immune system
• The importance of chewing for nutrient absorption
• Why sunlight is one of the most powerful daily health tools

Chapters

00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife

00:00:32 – Sponsor: Tru Niagen

00:02:35 – 15 science-backed health habits you probably aren't doing

00:04:18 – #1 Grip strength and longevity

00:06:40 – #2 The deep squat rest

00:08:16 – #3 Single-leg balance

00:09:36 – #4 Why humming boosts nitric oxide

00:11:01 – #5 Mouth taping and nasal breathing

00:12:41 – #6 Cold water face immersion

00:14:05 – #7 Ice on the back of your neck

00:14:59 – Sponsor: Manna Vitality

00:16:55 – #8 Getting bored on purpose

00:18:34 – #9 Scheduling daily silence

00:20:01 – #10 Chasing awe instead of scrolling

00:21:20 – #11 Why getting your hands dirty boosts immunity

00:23:00 – #12 Chewing your food more thoroughly

00:24:20 – #13 Squatting while using the bathroom

00:25:41 – #14 Get sunlight before your phone

00:26:59 – #15 Sunlight on your skin

00:28:28 – The complete 15-step daily protocol

00:29:05 – Start with one habit today

00:29:26 – Final thoughts and closing message

Thank You to Our Sponsors

• Tru Niagen: Boost NAD+ levels for cellular health and longevity. Get 20% off with code DARINOLIEN20 at truniagen.com.

• Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN for 20% off your order.

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Key Takeaway

"Better health doesn't always come from doing more—it often comes from returning to the simple things humans have done for thousands of years. Move your body naturally. Breathe through your nose. Spend time in silence. Get into the sun. Touch the earth. Challenge your balance. Strengthen your grip. These aren't expensive biohacks—they're timeless biological signals that remind your body how to thrive. Small daily actions, repeated consistently, can create extraordinary long-term health."

Bibliography/Sources

Physical Function & Biomechanics

• Araujo, C. G., et al. (2022). Successful 10-second one-legged stance performance predicts survival in middle-aged and older individuals. British Journal of Sports Medicine

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2022.1066913/full

• Deep squat / ankle dorsiflexion as clinical mobility assessment. (n.d.). PubMed Central.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7276781/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12358486/

• Leong, D. P., et al. (2015). Prognostic value of grip strength: Findings from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study. The Lancet, 386(9990), 266–273.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)62000-6

• Sikirov, D. (2003). Comparison of straining during defecation in three positions: Results and implications for human health. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 48(7), 1201–1205.

https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024180319005

Respiratory & Nervous System

• Effects of cold stimulation on cardiac-vagal activation in healthy participants: A randomized controlled trial. (n.d.). PubMed Central.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6334714/

• Systematic review of mouth taping for sleep-disordered breathing. (2024). PLOS One.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0323643

• Trigeminocardiac / mammalian dive reflex response to cold facial immersion. (2023). PubMed Central.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10295257/

• Weitzberg, E., & Lundberg, J. O. N. (2002). Humming greatly increases nasal nitric oxide. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 166(2), 144–145.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12119224/

Brain, Silence & Emotion

• Bartoli, E., et al. (2024). Default mode network electrical stimulation effects on creativity. Brain, 147(10), 3409+.

• Bernardi, L., Porta, C., & Sleight, P. (2006). Cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory changes induced by different types of music in musicians and non-musicians: The importance of silence. Heart, 92, 445–452.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16199412/

• Mann, S., & Cadman, R. (2014). Does being bored make us more creative? Creativity Research Journal, 26(2), 165–173.

https://doi.org/10.1080/10400419.2014.901073

• Münzel, T., et al. (2024). Noise causes cardiovascular disease: It's time to act. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11876066/

• Stellar, J. E., John-Henderson, N., Anderson, C. L., Gordon, A. M., McNeil, G. D., & Keltner, D. (2015). Positive affect and markers of inflammation: Discrete positive emotions predict lower levels of inflammatory cytokines. Emotion, 15(2), 129–133.

Immune, Digestion & Environmental Light

• Cassady, B. A., Hollis, J. H., Fulford, A. D., Considine, R. V., & Mattes, R. D. (2009). Mastication of almonds: Effects of lipid bioaccessibility, appetite, and hormone response. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 89(3), 794–800.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19144727/

• Liu, D., Fernandez, B. O., Hamilton, A., et al. (2014). Isolated UVA irradiation of human skin generates dermal nitric oxide and lowers blood pressure independent of vitamin D. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 134(7), 1839–1846.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24445737/

• Morning light exposure and circadian phase-shifting / dim-light melatonin onset. (n.d.). PubMed Central.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10594521/

• Rook, G. A. W., et al. (2023). The old friends hypothesis: Evolution, immunoregulation and essential microbial inputs. Frontiers in Allergy.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10524266/

• Strachan, D. P. (1989). Hay fever, hygiene, and household size. BMJ, 299(6710), 1259–1260.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.299.6710.1259