What time should I do my best work?

If you feel that your mind is at its sharpest in the morning, it’s due to the body’s natural clock where the “fear factor” chemical of cortisol starts up at 6, slows down by noon and ends at about 3 p.m.  You wondered why you needed a cup of coffee or a nap at about 3?  Mystery solved!  The cortisol activation response is a leftover from the ancient brain that gets turned on when light hits your eyes.  Your body feels its best and your brain operates at top performance during those 6 hours between 6 a.m. and 12 noon.  Keep this schedule and you’ll get into bed at a reasonable time, need between 7 and 10 minutes to fall asleep and then, be ready to hop out and take on the day at 6 in the morning.  The world’s most effective and successful people make it a habit to “rise and shine”.  Try it out!  Be a healthy role model for your children.