Sleep is a very important factor when it comes to testosterone levels. This is because your body uses the time you're asleep to produce more testosterone. Therefore, you should do your very best to get at least 7 to 8 hours sleep a night. A study conducted at the University of Chicago found that men who spent less than 5 hours sleeping for 7 consecutive nights produced 10% to 15% less testosterone compared to when they were fully rested. In addition to decreased testosterone production, being sleep deprived also increases the amount of cortisol (the stress hormone) in your system, and high levels of cortisol negatively impact testosterone levels. Not getting enough sleep also interferes with your growth hormones, which can prevent you from building muscle when you work out. You should also try to improve the quality of your sleep by turning off all computers and electronics an hour before bed, avoiding caffeinated drinks late in the evening, and having a hot shower before bed. Many experts believe that stress is one of the major contributing factors in the widespread fall in testosterone levels in modern day men. This is because the hormone which causes stress - cortisol - has been found to have an inverse relationship with testosterone. In other words, when cortisol levels are high, testosterone levels are low, and vice versa. It is believed that cortisol, which puts your body in "fight or flight" survival mode, conflicts with testosterone-related behaviors such as aggression, competition and mating. This is why the two cannot co-exist harmoniously. In order to maximize testosterone levels, it is important to minimize stress in any way you can. Consider trying deep breathing techniques, meditation, yoga or visualization. Alcohol can have a negative impact on your testosterone production. Binge drinking can negatively affect the endocrine system, which, in turn, prevents the testes from producing testosterone. In addition, alcohol raises cortisol levels and inhibits growth hormones - bad news for testosterone. Unfortunately, beer is the worst type of alcohol when it comes to healthy testosterone. This is because the hops used to make beer are full of estrogen (the female hormone). So you might switch to drinking liquor instead, or nothing at all. When drinking, it's best to cut yourself off after two/three drinks, as this will limit the damage to your testosterone levels. Caffeine needs to be taken in moderation, otherwise it can produce cortisol, which negatively impacts testosterone levels. In addition, consuming too much caffeine late in the day can disrupt sleeping patterns - and less sleep means less testosterone. However, recent studies have shown that consuming caffeine before a workout can actually boost your performance - so if you're really craving a cup of coffee, have one before you pump iron. Luckily, increasing your testosterone levels doesn't have to be all work and no play. There are several enjoyable things you can do to boost your testosterone. Watch more sports. Researchers at the University of Utah have found that the testosterone levels of sports fans are linked with their favorite team's performance. The testosterone levels of the research subjects increased by up to 20% when their team won, but decreased by the same percentage when their team lost. Therefore, you should feel completely justified in watching more sports - as long as you're sure your team will win! Have more sex. You probably know that testosterone is what fuels men's sex drive, but did you know that it also works the other way around? That's right; having sex can actually increase your testosterone levels. And not only that - just the act of having an erection, or getting turned on by an attractive person is enough to boost testosterone. Enjoy the great outdoors. Getting outside and enjoying the sunshine can be hugely beneficial to testosterone. In fact, exposing yourself to those vitamin D filled rays for just 15 to 20 minutes a day can increase testosterone levels by a whopping 120%. If you can sunbathe naked, the results are even higher. Just don't get caught. Studies have found that men with high blood pressure are 1.8 times likelier to have low testosterone than their counterparts. There are specific diets than you can start on such as the DASH diet in order to decrease your high blood pressure and improve your testosterone levels. Other factors such as reducing stress, cutting out booze and alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight can all help to reduce blood pressure. And if all else fails, blood pressure medication can help to keep your hypertension under control. See your doctor to figure out the best course of action for you. Xenoestrogens are chemicals that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body, which is bad news for your testosterone levels. Unfortunately xenoestrogens (like other endocrine disruptors) have infiltrated almost every part of daily lives and are impossible to avoid completely. Here are some ways you can limit your exposure: Avoid heating food in plastic containers. If you're heating up leftovers, make sure to transfer your food to a plate before popping in the microwave. Most plastic containers contain phthalates (a type of xenoestrogen) which can be transferred to your food when the plastic is heated. If possible, store your food in glass containers instead. Limit exposure to pesticides and gasoline. Both of these contain xenoestrogens, so try to limit your exposure as much as possible. If you come in contact with either, wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Eat organic produce. Non-organic foods are often sprayed with pesticides and pumped with hormones which mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Choose organic product when possible, or at least wash fruit and veg thoroughly before eating and avoid meat and dairy products which come from cows that have been treated with hormones. Use natural grooming products. Items such as shampoos, soaps, toothpastes and deodorants can introduce xenoestrogens to the body, so consider making the switch to more natural versions of these products. If you believe you may be suffering from a condition called low-testosterone, consult with your doctor. Your doctor can check your testosterone levels by ordering a blood test. If your levels are low, your doctor can prescribe medicine that will help your body produce more testosterone. Keep in mind that testosterone levels are highest in the morning, so it is best to get your levels checked early in the day.

Summary: Get enough sleep. Avoid stress. Cut back on the booze. Reduce your caffeine intake. Indulge in things you enjoy. Address high blood pressure levels. Avoid xenoestrogens. See your doctor.

Ants are highly skilled at escaping from containers, no matter what precautions you may take. A store-bought ant farm will probably be safe, but if you've made your own ant farm at home you'll want to check it for any tiny gaps that might allow ants to escape. An easy way to tell if your ant farm is secure is by filling it with water, wiping the outside dry, and turning it upside down to see if anything drips out. Only fill your ant farm with water if it's empty. Do not attempt to test your ant farm in this way if you've already filled it with dirt and/or ants. When you are ready to add your ants to the ant farm, they may attempt to rush out of their storage container. You can slow them down to more easily transfer them to the ant farm by placing them in a refrigerator for a very brief period of time. Store the transportation container full of ants in the refrigerator at a low setting, but only for a minute or two. This should slow the ants down sufficiently. Anything longer than two minutes might kill the entire colony, so be sure that you don't leave them unattended for long. Once your ants are in their farm, they should begin exploring their new habitat and digging an extensive network of tunnels. Like all living things, your ants will have some basic needs that must be met if the ants are to survive. Ants need a source of clean drinking water, but not too much or they will drown. Use an eye dropper to add just a few drops of clean water every other day. Give your ants fresh food every two to three days, depending on how quickly they're eating. Small insects and tiny scraps of kitchen meat are an ideal food source for young ants, while older ants will enjoy some sweet and sugary crumbs. Keep your ants out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. Try to maintain a steady room temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius).
Summary: Check your ant farm for holes. Slow down the ants so you can add them to the ant farm. Care for your ant farm.