Why timing counts
Get the most out of your day by understanding and taking account of your body's natural rhythms
Do you find yourself losing energy halfway through the day or struggle to get out of bed? Understanding how your body responds at different times of the day helps you to make the most of your natural 24-hour cycle, also know as the circadian rhythm.
When studying circadium rhythms, volunteers stayed in isolation units without access to a clock, and were fed identical hourly meals. Scientists found that temperature, heart rate, metabolic rate and urinary flow followed patterns throughout a 24-hour period.
Your 24-hour cycle
6am
Your body temperature rises. Levels of endorphins (brain pleasure and painkilling chemicals) and cortisol stress hormone rise to prepare for the day ahead. Sex hormones, oestrogen and testosterone, are at their peak in the early morning and you may feel in the mood for early-morning sex!
10am
You are at your most alert, particularly for cognitive work, so now is the time for problem solving, writing that essay or filing your report.
12pm
Energy levels slump as body temperature and adrenaline levels drop for a while. Your body is telling you to go to lunch, after which you could benefit from a siesta.
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