8:15am - Lose the stubble

Shaving your legs during your morning shower isn’t just convenient. This is the time when your platelets – which help blood clot when you nick yourself – are becoming much more active, meaning you’re less likely to need a Band-Aid if you do get a cut, says Dr Matthew Edlund, author of The Body Clock Advantage ($29.95, Adams Media Corporation). But skip the razor if you’re getting a full-body massage that day – if you do cut yourself, the nicks are open doors for bacteria, so it’s not the best time to have hands rubbing your legs, says Marlene Reid, spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association.

9:00am - Go under the knife

Last year, a research team from the US’s Duke University Medical Center analysed more than 90,000 surgeries and found that patients undergoing afternoon operations were more likely to have problems related to anaesthesia, including post-op pain and queasiness. Experts think fatigue and shift changes may take a toll on the staff who put you under. Morning slots can also prevent administrative delays, and you won’t have to starve for the entire day if you’re supposed to fast before your procedure.

10:00am - Get your money back

Went on a wild shopping spree last pay day? Rock up early to return impulse buys and you’ll be in and out in minutes. “Hit the store right when it opens, even on weekends, as that’s when queues tend to be shortest,” says Kathryn Finney, founder of thebudgetfashionista.com. The less time you spend in the shop, the less likely you are to repeat your impulse buying – meaning that refund will stay in your wallet.

10:30am - Command your work mates

To make a good impression, fire up that PowerPoint presentation when your brain is most alert – two to three hours after you wake up, says Michael Thorpy, director of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center in New York. By mid-morning, your body temperature has risen (it dips during sleep) and neurons fire faster when your body is warmed up. The timing also suits your audience. “It’s before stomachs start rumbling for lunch,” says communication expert Ronnie Moore, author of Why Did I Say That? Communicating to Keep Your Credibility, Your Cool and Your Cash! (available from amazon.com).