Your Health - Hints & Tips
At Westpark Fitness, we are passionate about getting you moving. And to get moving, you need to get inspired. Now, that’s where we come in. Read our articles for some expert insight into upcoming exercise innovations, new classes, training tips, plus common pitfalls to avoid so you can reach your exercise and wellness goals.
The Best Time to...
If you only do seven things this week, get the timing right.
Send an email
9AM Monday
That’s if you actually want someone to read it. Studies by US online marketeers eROI found that more people read more emails on a Monday than any other day. The survey of 7.7 million commercial emails sent during a 30-day period found that recipients actually open and click a lot more on Monday than any other day. “Work hasn't really piled up for the week yet, so they have the time to read and respond,” suggests eROI’s Jeff Mills. As the week wears on, there’s a significant drop-off in opened or "clicked through" mail.
Do your cardio workouts
7AM Tuesday
In fact not just Tuesday. Try Thursday and Saturday too. You need to run three times a week with rest days in between. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, an early start also means you’re going to have fewer distractions such as mates trying to lure you to the pub instead. If there is a problem first thing you can reschedule your workout again for later on – but remember, especially if you train outdoors, pollution levels increase through the day.
Close an eBay auction
4PM Wednesday
Contrary to popular opinion, evenings and weekends are not the best time to seal an eBay deal. German economic researcher Professor Oliver Gurtler found that most online sellers try to cash in on the supposed increased demand by setting weekend and end-of-day times for their auctions to end. But Gurtler’s study, focusing on DVD auctions, found that the late closing times had the effect of creating too many auctions ending around the same time. As such there was too much competition and not enough bidders around to force prices up. A mid-afternoon, mid-week auction close, however, will entice plenty more bidders – so you’re more likely to get the highest price for your wares.
Get cheap flights online
1AM Thursday
A survey carried out by The Times newspaper found that the first few days of the working week are the busiest days for holiday and flight bookings – we can’t imagine why! Also, Lastminute.com revealed that search levels surge on Monday and Tuesday lunchtimes, though specific bookings don’t reach a peak until between 7pm and 10pm. Since travel websites won’t drop their prices at these peak interest times, you’re better off looking at flight prices late on Wednesday or early Thursday to get the best deals.
Have any serious dental treatment
2PM Friday
According to Bruce DeGinder, president of the US Academy of Dentistry, the medication used to alleviate the effects of work such as root canal treatment can last eight to 10 hours. By the time the numbness wears off, you’ll be ready for bed – if your sleep is disrupted by the pain, at least you won’t have to face work the next day.
Buy a new pair of trainers
4.30PM Saturday
By late afternoon, gravity ensures your feet are at their ‘largest’. “That’s usually a good time to try on shoes and get a real feel for the fit,” says Dipika Smith, of athletes footwear store Run and Become in Victoria, London. Why Saturday? Well, as with most retailers, the closer you leave it to closing time, the more likely it is the store manager will want to get all the deals done, have the cash register balanced-up and head off out for the night (especially on a Saturday) – so they may also be a lot more receptive to you pitching your own bargain offer price!
Play to win at squash... tennis... golf...
5PM Sunday
According to experts in the study of circadian medicine (the workings of the body clock) the optimum time to practice a skill sport is between 4pm and 6pm. That's when our hand-eye co-ordination is at its sharpest, says Dr Matt Edlund, author of The Body Clock Advantage. Of course, your opponents will be too...
