Our body clock is the best friend that we have when it comes to daily activities. It affects our lives in many different ways. It figures out what time of the day you should be eating, working, sleeping, or even having sex. It you adhere to your body clock, then you will be able to lead a healthy life much more easily.
Your body clock, also called circadian rhythm, is a little bunch of nerve cells, called suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), in the middle of your brain in the shape of the letter "v". It is located in the area called the hypothalmus, which controls such basic functions as food intake and body temperature. The SCN synchronises your sleep-wake rhythm with the day-night cycle by using the information it receives from the light receptors in the back of the eyeball. The SCN takes the information, interprets it, and passes it on to the pineal gland, a tiny structure shaped like a pine cone and located on the epithalamus. This gland secretes the hormone melatonin, the so-called time-keeping hormone, which peaks at night. The SCN also sends information about time to the pituitary gland, which triggers the secretion of more hormones that profoundly influence the immune system.
When you work with your body clock you work the best! So here is a guide to help you work with your body clock.
Morning provides a fantastic opportunity for weight watchers. A study conducted in University of Minnesota revealed the fact that the body burns the calories that are ingested in the morning more quickly and efficiently. So a heavy breakfast is all you need to keep going till the lunch.
Mid-morning (between 10 am to 12 noon) is also a time when our brain functions the best. So any activity that requires maximum concentration like studying or solving a paper should be undertaken in the morning. This is because of the higher cortisol levels (a hormone that promotes mental alertness) that are present in the morning which increase mental alertness.
Couples who are trying for a baby should focus their efforts in the morning. According to a research conducted at Cornell University Medical College, men tend to produce more sperm at around 6 am in the morning than any other time of the day.
If you wish to discuss something important with a client or a friend, do it in the morning. The people are receptive to what you say. Try to schedule more meetings in the morning time.
Our body is designed to have two periods of sleep a day. After lunch time, our thinking processes tend to slow down and we are more prone to a power nap. A 15 to 20 minute nap is enough to maximize your energy and you will wake up better prepared for the remaining day. The employees that do it are found to be more productive than others.
The optimal workout time is in the afternoon and early evening. During this time, your body is at its maximum temperature, your muscles are relaxed and your joints move more easily.
Research shows that your pain tolerance is highest in the afternoon (around 1 pm to 3 pm). Use this information to schedule your next dentist appointment in the afternoon.
If you have to visit a sick friend, make sure you do it in the evening. The amount of White blood cells (the ones that protect you from diseases) in your blood is at its natural high. This will protect you from having an infection.
Prepare your financial planning reports in the evening as the long-term memory is at its sharpest.
If you wish to have sex, the late evening time is the best to do so as the body Testosterone levels peak at about 10:30 pm and your libido reaches its highest point.
The tick and tock of your body clock holds numerous implications for your health. Modern science is still sitting at the beach and playing with pebbles when it comes to body clock. As more and more research is undertaken, we will know of different activities and the different times that they need to be done on. Till then, you can implement the above activities and reap the benefits of it!
Tags: Wellness, Tips, Body Clock
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