In this review, we’ll see if the Mathew Walker MasterClass lives up to its promises and delivers a course worthy of your investment.
Mathew Walker MasterClass Summary
- What you’ll learn: Mathew Walker’s evidence-based approach to improving sleep, with actionable steps that anyone can apply without special equipment.
- Run time: 3 hours and 12 minutes.
- Recommendation: 8/10 recommended. If you struggle to sleep or sleep too much but still feel tired, this course is for you.
In this eye-opening course, you’ll join a leading sleep scientist on a journey to unlock the secrets of a good night’s rest. Walker spares no effort in explaining various scientific studies to support his claim.
Throughout the course, you’ll be given many tips and tricks that you can easily apply for quick results.
In this MasterClass Review, You’ll Learn:
- What does this MasterClass promise?
- How much does Mathew Walker MasterClass cost?
- What’s included in the Mathew Walker MasterClass?
- Structure of the class.
- Key things I learned after taking the MasterClass.
- Things I liked and didn’t like about the Mathew Walker MasterClass.
- Is Mathew Walker’s MasterClass worth the money?
Quick Q&A
Yes, you need a MasterClass subscription to take Mathew Walker’s MasterClass. More information is in the pricing section.
Mathew Walker’s MasterClass is 3 hours and 12 minutes. It’s divided into 15 video lessons.
Yes, MasterClass will offer you a full refund if you cancel your subscription within 30 days of your purchase.
Yes, I was able to generously improve my sleep, and reach the “deep sleep” state more consistently after applying the advice I got from the course. It’s worth it.
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About Mathew Walker
Mathew P. Walker is a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley who has dedicated his career to researching sleep and bringing awareness to the importance of healthy sleep habits.
As the director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at UC Berkeley, Walker runs his own sleep research laboratory where he conducts studies aimed at understanding the impacts of sleep on the brain and body.
Walker rose to fame in 2017 with the release of his popular science book “Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams.”
The book covers the expansive scientific research that demonstrates how essential sleep and dreaming are for proper cognitive and physiological functioning.
Walker argues that quality sleep plays a central role in brain plasticity, learning, memory formation, emotional regulation, and even disease prevention.
He warns that regular sleep deprivation can negatively impact mental health, productivity, and lifespan.
“Why We Sleep” spent weeks on the New York Times bestseller list by capturing public interest in the health consequences of insufficient sleep.
The book has inspired a movement urging society to recognize sleep as a pillar of public health rather than as a sign of laziness. Walker is an outspoken critic of work cultures and social attitudes that fail to prioritize rest.
Based on a wealth of research, he explains that chronic sleep loss can increase risks for serious conditions like dementia, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
In honor of his influential advocacy and research on the vital importance of sleep for people of all ages, Time Magazine selected Walker as one of the “50 Most Influential People in Health Care” in 2018.
Through his writing, media interviews, and UC Berkeley lab, Mathew Walker continues working to educate the public on building healthy sleep habits for improved mental and physical well-being.
What Does this MasterClass Promise?
Mathew Walker’s MasterClass, “The Science of Better Sleep,” promises to provide the scientifically-backed information, tools, techniques, and motivation you need to transform your sleep quality and live a healthier, happier life.
Through a series of 15 video lessons, Walker aims to debunk the myths around sleep and alter people’s fundamental relationship with this vital pillar of health.
The course explores the biology of sleep in an accessible way – illuminating what happens in the body and brain during sleep cycles, circadian rhythms, and the varying sleep states.
With engaging examples, Walker describes why quality sleep serves critical restorative functions. He also explains how even small sleep debts or disorders can substantially impact cognitive abilities, emotional balance, cardiovascular health, immune function, and disease risk.
He analyzes the prevalence of sleep deprivation in modern society and the incorrect assumptions that prevent prioritizing rest.
Armed with the latest sleep science, the MasterClass focuses on actionable advice for improving sleep long-term.
Walker offers guidance on setting ideal sleep schedules, optimizing environmental conditions and pre-bed routines for the body’s physiology, balancing exercise and nutrition, and managing stress.
He emphasizes avoiding dependence on sleep aids and overcoming primary sleep disorders like apnea and insomnia through medical and behavioral approaches.
Rather than promising a quick fix, the course aims to provide the foundational knowledge and personalized troubleshooting to transform your relationship with sleep.
With Walker’s passionate and science-rooted mentoring, the MasterClass intends to inspire the restorative nights that fuel positive mental and physical health.
How Much Does Mathew Walker MasterClass Cost?
If you want to take Mathew Walker’s MasterClass, you need to purchase a subscription, which unlocks this course as well as all others available on MasterClass.
Here’s the pricing:
- Individual: $10 per month or $120 per year.
- Duo: $15 per month or $180 per year.
- Family: $20 per month or $240 per year.
The individual plan should be your choice if you’re trying MasterClass for the first time, as it’s fairly cheap and allows you to view all MasterClass courses from one device.
The Duo plan reduces the cost per device to $7.5 and allows streaming on two devices.
The family plan allows six devices to simultaneously browse MasterClass courses, costing less than $5 each.
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What is Included in Mathew Walker’s MasterClass?
Here’s a rundown of what you’re getting with the Mathew Walker MasterClass:
| Runtime: | 3 hours 12 minutes |
| Reviews: | 4.7 out of 5 stars ⭐️ |
| Lessons: | 15 video lessons |
| Materials: | 1 work booklet (24 pages) |
Runtime
With the exception of the first lesson which introduces the course and lasts for 4 minutes and 14 seconds, the other 14 lessons have an average runtime of around 15 minutes.
This is suitable for people who prefer to take on one or two lessons in one sitting, but it may be a bit too much for those who prefer smaller bites of information.
Supplemental Material
A 24-page downloadable workbook is included with the course. It provides an overview of the science of sleep, including historical developments in the field.
It also includes links to more resources for deeper exploration of sleep science.
Community Access
Most courses on MasterClass have a community page. Mathew Stewart’s course is no exception.
About the Structure of the Class
Despite averaging 15 minutes per lesson, I found myself quickly clicking the “next” button even if I hadn’t planned for that initially. Walker’s interesting presentation takes the boredom out of the formula and keeps you interested.
Lesson Plan
- Meet Your Instructor
- What Is Sleep? How Sleep Works
- Night Owl or Morning Lark?
- The Buzz on Alcohol and Caffeine
- Prevent Sleep Debt
- Fire Up the Brain
- Sleep Across Our Lifespan
- Overnight Therapy
- The Absurd Act of Dreaming
- Sleep and the Human Body
- Diet and Sleep
- Sleep to Thrive
- How to Sleep Better
- Reclaim Your Slee
Lesson Summary
- Meet Your Instructor: This introductory lesson introduces you to Professor Matthew Walker. He’ll provide a brief overview of the course and his passion for helping people understand the importance of sleep.
- What Is Sleep? How Sleep Works: This dives into the core science of sleep. You’ll learn about the different stages of sleep (REM, non-REM) and their vital functions in memory consolidation, physical restoration, and brain health.
- Night Owl or Morning Lark?: Here, you’ll explore the concept of chronotypes – your natural sleep-wake preference. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, understanding your chronotype can help you optimize your sleep schedule.
- The Buzz on Alcohol and Caffeine: This lesson tackles common sleep disruptors like caffeine and alcohol. You’ll learn how these substances impact your sleep cycle, even if they don’t necessarily prevent you from falling asleep initially.
- Prevent Sleep Debt: This session tackles the concept of sleep debt – the cumulative effect of insufficient sleep over time. You’ll discover the consequences of sleep debt on your health and cognitive function, and learn strategies to avoid it.
- Fire Up the Brain: This lesson explores the connection between sleep and brain function. You’ll discover how sleep fuels memory consolidation, learning, and creativity, making it crucial for optimal brain power.
- Sleep Across Our Lifespan: Our sleep needs and patterns change throughout life. This lesson explores how sleep requirements differ for children, teenagers, adults, and seniors, and offers insights into healthy sleep habits at each stage.
- Overnight Therapy: This session delves into the restorative power of sleep. You’ll learn how sleep promotes healing, strengthens the immune system, and helps regulate hormones, contributing to overall well-being.
- The Absurd Act of Dreaming: Uncover the fascinating world of dreams and their role in sleep. This lesson explores different dream theories and the potential significance of dreams for emotional processing and memory.
- Sleep and the Human Body: This session explores the impact of sleep on your physical health. You’ll learn how good sleep strengthens your immune system, reduces inflammation, and can even influence weight management.
- Diet and Sleep: This lesson explores the two-way street between diet and sleep. You’ll learn how your dietary choices can affect your sleep quality, and conversely, how sleep can impact your eating habits.
- Sleep to Thrive: Discover how optimized sleep can enhance your overall performance and well-being. This lesson delves into the connection between sleep and productivity, creativity, emotional regulation, and physical performance.
- How to Sleep Better: Here’s where the rubber meets the road. This lesson provides practical strategies for creating a sleep-conducive environment. You’ll learn about light, temperature, and other factors that influence sleep quality, and discover tips for establishing a healthy sleep routine.
- Reclaim Your Sleep: The final lesson empowers you to take control of your sleep and implement the strategies learned throughout the course. Professor Walker will offer guidance on overcoming common sleep challenges and maintaining healthy sleep habits for the long term.
My Fast-track Lesson Plan
If 3+ hours is a bit too much time for you, consider trying this 90-minute lesson plan.
- What Is Sleep? How Sleep Works? (15 min): Understand the stages and their functions for memory, brain, and body.
- Understanding Your Sleep Needs (10 min): Explore chronotypes (night owl/morning lark) to optimize your sleep schedule.
- The Buzz on Alcohol and Caffeine (5 min): Learn how these disrupt sleep cycles.
- Prevent Sleep Debt (5 min): Grasp the concept and its consequences.
- Fire Up the Brain (5 min): Discover the link between sleep and brain function (memory, learning).
- Sleep and the Human Body (10 min): Focus on how sleep strengthens the immune system and physical health.
- How to Sleep Better (20 min): Learn practical tips for creating a sleep-conducive environment (light, temperature).
- Reclaim Your Sleep (15 min): Get strategies for overcoming sleep challenges and maintaining healthy sleep habits.
Key Things I Learned
Not all three hours were beneficial, Walker may occasionally spend a bit too much time explaining something that I didn’t find that complicated. It could have been just me, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t learn anything new.
Below are a Few Key Learnings that Stood out During the MasterClass:
- Sleep stages and their functions: Understand how sleep benefits memory, brain restoration, and physical health.
- Chronotypes: Discover if you’re a night owl or morning lark and optimize your sleep schedule accordingly.
- Sleep disruptors: Learn how caffeine and alcohol mess with your sleep cycle.
- Sleep debt: Grasp the concept and its negative impact on health and cognition.
- Sleep and brain power: See the connection between sleep and improved memory, learning, and creativity.
- Sleep and the body: Discover how sleep strengthens your immune system and overall physical well-being.
- Creating a sleep haven: Learn practical tips for optimizing your bedroom environment for better sleep.
- Healthy sleep routine: Establish a consistent sleep and wake schedule, even on weekends, and create a relaxing bedtime ritual.
Things I Liked About Mathew Walker’s MasterClass
Matthew Walker’s MasterClass sheds light on the science behind sleep and equips you with tools to improve your sleep hygiene.
I learned more about the different sleep stages and their vital functions for memory, brain restoration, and physical health.
The course explores how understanding your natural sleep-wake preference (chronotype) can help you optimize your sleep schedule. It also tackles common sleep disruptors like caffeine and alcohol, highlighting their impact on your sleep cycle.
I also learned about the concept of sleep debt and its consequences, along with the powerful connection between good sleep and brain function, particularly for memory and learning.
The MasterClass emphasizes how sleep strengthens your immune system and overall physical health.
Finally, I learned practical strategies for creating a sleep-conducive environment and establishing a healthy sleep routine.
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My Favorite Quotes From Mathew Walker’s MasterClass
- “No one has ever told you to stay awake on a problem. So what is it then that’s going on during sleep that seems to inspire this type of creativity?”
- “In this modern day and age, I don’t think we pay enough attention to the impact of sleep on our physical and our athletic performance, certainly not based on the evidence of the strength of evidence.”
- “Sleep is the elixir of life.”
- “Sleep may be the greatest legal performance-enhancing drug that too few athletes are abusing enough in this modern day and age.”
- “I think there are a number of things that must change in society for us to start to improve our chances of getting the sleep that we need.”
Things I Didn’t Like About the Mathew Walker MasterClass
Walker’s presentation was exciting and enthusiastic, but I think it was a bit too enthusiastic for me.
At times, he was a bit tiring to listen to, because my brain was constantly led to understand that everything he says is too important. This made me repeat a few minutes from time to time.
Does the Class Keep its Promises?
Yes, I can confidently say that it does. Despite being too energetic, Mathew Walker’s course was one of those with many actionable steps that you can take and notice immediate change.
Is Mathew Walker’s MasterClass Worth the Money?
Yes, if you…
- Don’t mind relatively long lessons.
- Can keep up with constant talking and
enthusiasm. - Need actual steps to improve your sleep.
No, if you…
- Can’t handle too much enthusiasm.
- Prefer short and concise videos with focused information.
- Get distracted easily when too much science is explained over short intervals.
Conclusion
Mathew Walker suggests that one out of three individuals suffer from sleep deprivation. In other words, nearly 3 billion people (around one-third of the world’s population) will find this course highly helpful. I didn’t notice how sleep-deprived I was until I was actually energetic enough after a few days of good night’s sleep.
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