Optimizing Your Best Time of Day

Do you wake up with a song in your heart and a bounce in your step consistently at every sunrise?
Do you come alive at night, only to mentally and physically fade away as daylight approaches (Are you sure you're not a vampire)?
Many of us are either "morning people" or "night owls", but most of us shift at times from one category to the other or embody some characteristics of both.
Whether you tend to work late or wake early, learning to pay attention to your own mental clock can help you make better use of your time. The time of day when you actually feel your best not only corresponds to your personality traits, but is built into your genes.
Discover what makes you tick!

MORNING-Early risers face the day's start with a burst of cheerful, happy enthusiasm. Why? "Sunstarters" are born with a gene called 'cytosine' that makes them more energized, inspired and motivated. You face daily tasks with a positive attitude, effortlessly multi-tasking. You energetic dynamo, you!
BUT by late afternoon your concentration may tend to flag. Your critical hours are 1:30 pm.-Schedule routine tasks rather rather than crucial work at this hour to avoid errors when your body's temperature dips and your mind settles into its afternoon lull, and 5:30 pm.-Exercising at this time of day will risk fewer injuries than first thing in the morning, when hand-eye coordination isn't at its peak, and leaves enough time for the body to cool down before bed.

Extra Tip: The morning hours are great for tackling one's toughest mental projects, such as planning, creative writing (and thinking).

To Do Before Work: Write up your Christmas gift list, plan holiday menus and balance your checkbook.

If 12 NOON-LUNCHTIME!-is what you live for, you're always eager to chat with friends or brainstorm with co-workers; lunchtime gives you the social boost you crave to make it through the day (You just love to talk!). If you have to work through lunch, you will make sure that you touch base with someone at the water cooler, in the bathroom, the hallway, etc.
Your friendly, outgoing manner makes you a natural at parties.
Those with the most social connections tend to be in the best health-so all that talking will help you live better and longer as well!

Extra Tip: Decision-making skills peak during the hours of 12 noon to 2 pm. (that's because our body temperatures peak at this time of day, which in turn revs up our brain and causes our mental powers to also peak.

To Do On Your Lunch Hour: This is the best time to think about what you'll buy each person on your list, whether to host a holiday party and what to wear to the office holiday party.

AFTERNOON-While most people are yawning and wishing they could take a nap by now (Probably worn out from all that talking and eating!), this is when you feel your best.
Research has shown that afternoon folks are individualists; creative and full of ideas. Your artistic temperament touches everything you
do.
Your neighbors will agree that your home (or apartment) is one of the most innovative on the block-and they can't wait to come over and see what new touches you dreamed up!

Extra Tip: You'll hit a low point in your mental AND physical energy levels now (and it doesn't matter whether or not you've eaten lunch!). But it's your mind, not your body that needs a rest; so if you do something active during this time, your physical energy will increase.

To Do After Lunch On Weekends: Wrap gifts, bake (and/or decorate) Christmas cookies, work on holiday crafts or do your Christmas shopping.

More Extra Tips: Alertness returns at 4 pm.

And at 5 pm., physical strength peaks now; you'll be more coordinated and your reaction time will be faster.

To Do On Your Afternoon Break: Write out Christmas cards and review your holiday menus and shopping lists.

To Do When You Get Home From Work: Decorate the house or clean it in preparation for a holiday party.

Dusk (or Sunset)-The day's done and evening's approaching-Those that love this time of day tend to be more in touch with their own "magical" side. You will use your intuition more than others and are gifted at picking up unspoken signals and body language. You have an ability to interpret tiny nuances that others may miss; You always know what's REALLY going on-A great asset to have regarding meetings, social events, or even in your own home.
Your "sixth sense" means you're the first person friends call when they're feeling down-not only do you understand what's wrong, but you always know just what to say to make them feel better.

LATE NIGHT-For you, nighttime is the right time. You are just getting your "second wind" when everyone else is sleeping (Most humans function best in the daytime). You're an overachiever-in a good sense-strongly driven by a will to succeed. You use the extra time to work on a variety of tasks, such as getting your business plans together, or to do household chores. You attack every project with gusto, until you get what you want. You want to be ahead of the game if possible.
Working past midnight is very effective for you, BUT be sure to still get in eight, or at least seven hours of sleep daily.
Your critical hours are: 9 am.-You may tend to skip breakfast because you're groggy now or want to sleep. Don't do that. And 12 am. (midnight) is also critical. Avoid late-night snacks and alcohol; digestion at this time may prevent quality rest.