While some people are up at the crack of dawn to lace up their running shoes, others can’t fathom a workout before noon. Finding the perfect time to exercise is as much about personal preference as it is physiology .
Exercise is supposed to feel good — even if it’s simply the feeling of accomplishment afterwards. But if muscles are tight in the morning or working out too late disrupts sleep, exercise can feel counterproductive.
On the Clock — Why It Matters
Photo by Caitlin Covington
New research suggests the body could adapt to regular gym dates, so if we hit the weight room every day at 4 pm, eventually we might perform better at that time than at any other time of day These findings are similar to earlier research, which suggests that sticking to a specific workout time can result in better performance, higher oxygen consumption, and lower perceived exhaustion But scheduling a workout is more complicated than choosing a favorite number on the clock and depends on a number of issues.First, the body’s core temperature is an important factor in determining the quality of exercise. A cold body leaves muscles stiff, inefficient, and susceptible to sprains, whereas higher body temperatures leave muscles more flexible. Body temperature typically increases throughout the day, so muscle strength and endurance may peak in the late afternoon, when body temperature is highest . The afternoon is also when reaction time is quickest and heart rate and blood pressure are lowest, all of which combine to improve performance and reduce the overall likelihood of injury.
Hormone levels are also important in determining optimal workout time. Testosterone is important for muscle growth and strength, in ladies and gents. And the body produces more testosterone during late afternoon resistance training than it does during morning workouts. Plus, the stress hormone cortisol, which aids in the storage of fat and reduction of muscle tissue, peaks in the morning and decreases throughout the day and during exercise But early birds, take heart: Morning workouts can be successful, too.
Pick A Time, Any Time — The Answer/Debate
Those who find it difficult to exercise past lunchtime can find solace in the fact that it's sometimes easier to keep a morning workout routine consistent. Afternoon and evening workouts are more likely to conflict with other responsibilities as the day progresses. Plus a full day’s work can take a serious toll on willpower — issues that can overcome any gym-goer’s best intentions. Morning workouts might also be a good option for stress-free snoozing. Since exercise increases heart rate and body temperature, working out too late in the evening (generally after 8 pm) can disrupt sleep and compromise the body’s ability to repair itself- The body tends to adapt to exercise at whatever time we usually hit the gym.
- Afternoon workouts might be best, since body temperature is higher and heart rate and blood pressure are lower then.
- On the other hand, some people find it easiest to stick to a morning workout routine.
- It’s most important to find a workout plan we can realistically maintain.
What your face says about your health
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Your body’s unique intelligence has a way of telling you when
something is wrong and it needs help. Not understanding this language
makes it difficult to know when your body is talking to you. In Eastern
medicine a doctor will read what is written in your face, tongue, eyes,
skin and pulse. The signs of depletion are all there and may have been
for some time.
Visual diagnosis is an ancient tool used by traditional healers to
discover the strengths and weaknesses, and health (or lack of health),
within the body. Once awareness of what’s happening inside the body
becomes evident, it can be used to diagnose an illness or prevent an
illness from fully manifesting. Awareness of your body is the key to
figuring out the necessary diet and lifestyle adjustments to obtain
vibrant health. In Oriental diagnosis each organ is seen in relation to
all the others, with energy flowing in one continuous circuit.
This energy, called ki (Japanese), chi (Chinese) or prana (Indian),
runs through the body in pathways called meridians that are associated
with each organ: liver, gallbladder, heart, small intestine, stomach,
spleen/pancreas, lung, large intestine, kidney and bladder. Your face is
the most revealing part of your body and provides insight into the
larger internal body systems. According to Oriental diagnosis, each area
of your face manifests a corresponding organ and how it is functioning
in the body. For example:
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The mouth is the entrance to the digestive tract.
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The nose is the entrance to the respiratory system.
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The eyes are connected to the optic nerve, brain and nervous system.
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The ears are the auditory system.
How this looks on your face:
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Your cheeks represent lungs and their condition.
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Tip of the nose is heart.
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Nostrils represent the bronchi of the lungs.
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Middle part of the nose is stomach.
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Upper part of the nose is pancreas.
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Under the eyes reflect your kidneys.
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Between the eyebrows shows liver condition.
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The temples reflect your spleen.
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Your forehead represents small intestines.
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Peripheral forehead the large intestine.
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Upper forehead shows the bladder.
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Ears can reflect kidney function.
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Your mouth reflects the condition of your entire digestive tract.
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Around the mouth indicates the condition of your sexual organs.
You can easily apply these guidelines to your personal health:
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Women tend to break out under their lower lip when approaching their monthly menstruation or with hormone fluctuations.
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Gum and tooth infections are related to the condition of the intestines and much of this can be resolved by improving your diet and allowing the organs to detoxify naturally.
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Someone with a large bulbous nose shows a heart straining against clogged arteries.
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Swollen under-eyes reflect kidneys unable to work properly, and a retention of fluid from eating too much salt and fatty foods.
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The classic lines between the eyebrows shows your liver working hard to keep up with your lifestyle.
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Yellowing of the whites of the eyes can indicate liver jaundice.
