From the sound of the blog it would sound like we are talking about timing your braking and turn entry/exit, huh? Well, it has been a while since I blogged about something health related so we are going to switch “gears” here, no pun intended. We all have a master internal timer that is our circadian clock and it keeps every bodily function on track daily. Your memory, energy level, metabolism and chances of getting sick actually change throughout the day so let’s break it down a little.

Eating breakfast within 90 minutes of waking up help get your energy levels up and revs up your metabolism, while satiating your appetite to keep you from overeating later in the day.

Getting some sunlight (at least 15 minutes) before 10am cues your brain to stop releasing melatonin which will signal your brain to wake up you up and improve your mood (I call it getting your happy rays).

Your core temperature rises between 10 and 11am and again from 5-7pm, this is when your muscle, nerves and joints warm up and you feel sharper and more energetic. Your brain also tends to be the most agile during this period so this would be prime time to tackle a challenging project at work.

Have a medical procedure before noon, there are studies that show physicians are most alert before noon thus making fewer mistakes in the morning. Scheduling a doctor’s appointment in the morning is also beneficial as they are more alert to catch anything suspicious during your examination.

Between noon and 2pm your body temperature naturally dips causing you to feel sleepy, go for a walk to help overcome this lull.

If you are going to cheat on your diet, do it between 11am and 2pm, it allows enough time for your body to burn off the excess calories and get back on track before bedtime.

Between 5 and 6pm our body temperature peaks which means you are most agile and less likely to get injured, your hand-eye coordination is the sharpest, lung function is high, muscle fibers are warm and your mood is brighter. Did you know that this is the time of day when Olympic records tend to be set?

If you are going to grab a drink after work keep it between 4pm and 8pm, even better reason to hit happy hour now! This allows the alcohol to metabolize before you sleep, any later and you are more likely to toss and turn all night. Eating dinner before 8pm helps your body metabolize the food well before you turn in for the night, if you have too many late nights, it causes a change in metabolism and insulin production which will eventually lead to weight gain. Our bodies are designed to sleep when the sun goes down, so don’t mess with mother nature or she will get you back with added pounds.

Apply anti-perspirant at bedtime, the chemicals that keep you from sweating are better absorbed when your skin is dry. Most people apply it when their skin is damp after a morning shower, but if you use it at night it’ll plug your sweat ducts and help you stay fresh for 24 hours.

In the middle of the night we tend to be most creative, so if you find you can’t sleep, let your mind wander and come up with ideas or solutions. While it is not wise to do this often, on occasion it can help you solve a difficult issue you may be struggling with while putting it to rest and then allowing you to sleep more solid.

For more information, check out “The Body Clock Guide to Better Health” by Michael Smolensky and Lynne Lamberg.