LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — New research shows that there are specific times of day when people do various activities best, something scientists refer to as “peak times.”

Researchers noticed men and women experienced their peak times at the same time, whether they were exercising, taking a test or negotiating a deal.

They found the best time to exercise was 5 to 7 p.m.

“The data are really clear…5 to 7 p.m., that’s when our lung capacity is best, our muscles are best, our hand-eye coordination is best…” said Dr. Steve Kay, dean of USC’s Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

The best time to hammer out a deal? It’s 9 to 11 a.m.

“It requires a difference part of our brain region. It requires our ability to read how another person is reacting to us, and that is best just after we get up,” Kay said. “So, if you are going to be buying a house or going to a car dealership, go in at that time of day and you’ll be doing the best you can for that kind of negotiating.”

The optimal time to take a test was 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kay said that’s when brain function is at its best. He said to avoid taking tests early in the morning or late at night.

There’s even a time of day when using social media will most enhance a user’s mood: 7 to 9 a.m.

Kay said it’s during that time that you’ll find the most joyful posts and tweets.

Researchers also found the times of day that people tend to do their worst.

The worst time to eat was after 8 or 9 p.m. Kay said it’s best to eat when one is active.

“If we take in a lot of calories just before we go to bed, our body isn’t designed to do that, so our bodies tend to push those calories immediately into fat,” Kay said.

Just like eating, talking about sensitive issues with one’s spouse is not recommended after 8 p.m.

“We should really avoid difficult conversations late at night…late in the evening is when people get emotional, it’s when most of the fights occur, so let’s avoid that evening time for difficult conversations,” Kay said.