As we wrap up our holiday weekend and head into the work week, we’re determined to have good days to get us through the week until it’s finally the weekend again. We decided to turn to science for tips on how to have a good day, and here is everything we found.
Get up and get your body moving on a morning walk. Research tells us that a brisk morning walk can actually help lower our blood pressure, those morning rays give you a boost of Vitamin D, as well as produce melatonin keeping you alert during the day, and we aren’t over the benefits just yet, walking in the morning light has been proven to help people handle anxiety better during the day, and fall asleep easier and faster at night.
(image via: istock)
We think we can all agree that we love to wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, but don’t start sipping on it as soon as you wake up. (We know, we know.) Instead, hold off until 8:30ish/9:00 AM. Waiting until a little later in the morning for your cup of joe allows your cortisol levels to naturally rise, then as they start to lower you can get your java fix. This will give you a nice boost all morning long.
Research tells us that we are most productive right before lunchtime, so around 11 AM, take on a hard task or that task you’ve been putting off for a few days and knock it out. Truly we can’t think of a better way to get the day started post-walk, post-coffee, than finishing a task we’ve been putting off for a while.
We know that post-lunch feeling all too well of just feeling checked out, but scientists say that this is actually the best time to get a little creative. So if you have a task at hand that needs a little extra creative problem solving, the afternoon is the time to take this on.
(image via: istock)
After you get off work is the best time to hit the gym and lift some weights. Not only is this a great way to clear your mind, but research says that your muscles grow at a faster rate in the afternoon, and assuming you’ve eaten during the day, your body will have more fuel to work with. So not only will you leave the gym feeling good physically, it’s great for your mental health as well.
If you’re shooting for a 10 PM bedtime, science says to eat an early dinner between 6:30 PM and 7:00. We know a lot of people prefer to eat late at night, but eating late can lead to inflammation while giving your body a few hours to process your dinner can actually lead to a decreased chance of disease.
Follow this routine and by the time 10 PM rolls around, your mind and body will be ready for some much rest.