WHAT makes you tick? Knowing the best time to exercise, eat lunch and have sex can have a profound effect on your health and wellbeing.
Professor Michael Hastings, a Medical Research Council scientist based at Cambridge University told MailOnline: “We used to think that there was only this one clock in the brain and that told everything else in the body what to do.
“But the fact is that all the bits of the body have their own local body clocks — and at least some of them can influence the master clock in the brain.”
Here’s a guide on tuning your body clock around its strengths and weaknesses.
7am
Ailments such as hay fever and headaches peak early in the morning. Leave medication and a glass of water by your bed so you can take preventative treatment as soon as you wake up.
8am
If you’re keen to lose weight, set your alarm an hour early and hit the gym before breakfast. Trying for a baby? Have sex early in the morning because this is when male sperm counts are highest.
9am
This is the best time to have surgery. An American study which tracked 90,000 ops found the odds of an adverse event were lowest between 9am and noon.
10am
Prep for that important business presentation mid-morning. Our brains are alert but rested so they can digest and remember information better.
1pm
Have lunch. Eating now will ensure you’re well fuelled to face the afternoon and your food will have a chance to digest if you exercise later in the day.
2pm
Researchers have found 2.16pm is the time we feel drained and struggle to concentrate. Break the cycle by having a glass of water, going for a walk or eating some fruit.
4pm
Scientists found that our breathing is at its best between 4-5pm so book in for that energetic aerobics class to feel the benefits.
6pm
Our muscle and grip strength peaks at 6-8pm so do any heavy lifting jobs early in the evening.
8pm
Have your last coffee. Caffeine has a half life of between three and five hours, so having a latte any later is likely to disrupt your sleep.
No comments:
Post a Comment