The Morning Routine That Went Viral

Another day, another viral routine. This time, it’s influencer Ashton Hall who’s sent the internet into a spiral with his ultra-disciplined 4am wake-up video—complete with mouth taping, journalling, ice baths, gym sessions, and what might be the most bizarre beauty hack of all: rubbing banana peel on his face.

The video opens with Hall rising at a precise 3:52am and peeling off mouth tape. For the uninitiated, mouth taping has gained traction online as a so-called biohack for better sleep—touted to reduce snoring and encourage nasal breathing. But despite its TikTok glow-up, actual science says… proceed with caution. Risks include disrupted breathing, oxygen reduction, irritation, and even dental issues like dry mouth and tooth decay.

Image @theskinnyconfidential via IG

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Hall’s morning continues with a full-throttle itinerary: brushing teeth, hydration, a quick workout, journalling, a motivational clip, and a plunge into ice water—all before 6am. And just when you think he’s peaked, he suits up for the gym, logs a treadmill session, dives into the pool, hits a cold plunge, showers, and smears banana peel on his face (because… skin benefits?). By 9:15am, he’s finally seated at his laptop, ready for the workday. Breakfast arrives at 9:30—earned, obviously.

The internet, naturally, had thoughts. Some praised the hustle; others called out the posturing. “Stops and starts reading in the same minute. Great stuff,” one viewer quipped. Another simply called it “comedy gold.” The most eyebrow-raising element? The taped mouth. “Why is nobody talking about how weird it is to sleep with your mouth taped?” asked one user.

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Image @ourvictorianhome1875 via IG

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Still, not everyone was cynical. “This dude got 7 million followers on Instagram alone doing what he loves and making millions off it,” one supporter wrote. “It’s frankly inspirational.”

Others saw the backlash as reflective of society’s complicated relationship with success. “People are hating because this just isn’t where they are in their lives,” one commenter noted. Another added: “This trend of laughing at people who are doing better is what’s really cringy.”

Whether Hall’s routine is aspirational or absurd, one thing’s certain: the internet can’t look away—and in the attention economy, that might just be the most productive 3:52am wake-up call of all.