As the day comes to an end, you may find yourself feeling more irritable, sad, or anxious than when you started, despite beginning the day full of energy. A recent study suggests that many individuals experience a similar emotional pattern. Researchers at the University College London discovered that individuals tend to feel happiest, most satisfied with life, and find life most worthwhile in the morning, with these positive emotions decreasing as the day progresses, reaching their lowest point around midnight.
The study, published in BMJ Mental Health and based on data from 49,218 participants in the University College London COVID-19 Social Study between March 2020 and March 2022, analyzed responses to questions such as, “How happy have you felt in the past week? How satisfied have you been with your life? To what extent have you felt that the things you are doing in your life are worthwhile?”
Lead author Feifei Bu of the Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health at University College London remarked, “Across a large and diverse sample, we consistently observed a link between better mental health and well-being in the mornings and lower levels of these emotions at midnight, a pattern that persisted even after accounting for individual differences.”
The researchers also noted variations in happiness, life satisfaction, and feelings of life’s worth based on the day of the week and season.
Best and Worst Days of the Week:
The study revealed that individuals felt happiest on Sunday mornings, closely followed by Saturdays. Ratings for life satisfaction and feelings of life being worthwhile were also highest during weekend mornings, possibly due to social and work patterns. Previous research has linked weekday declines in mental health and well-being to work-related stress, with even unemployed individuals experiencing improved well-being on weekends due to increased social interactions.
Anxiety levels were found to be lowest on Sundays, likely influenced by differing daily routines between weekdays and weekends. Conversely, levels of satisfaction, happiness, and feelings of life’s worth plummeted to their lowest point at midnight every day of the week. Loneliness was consistently lower in the morning and higher at night, regardless of the day.
The researchers speculate that circadian rhythms, which regulate the rise in cortisol levels upon waking and their decline towards bedtime, may play a role in these emotional fluctuations, alongside other factors such as environmental conditions and daily routines.
Best and Worst Times of the Year:
The study also highlighted the influence of seasons on respondents’ well-being. Winter was associated with higher levels of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, while other seasons saw decreased loneliness and improved emotional well-being, including increased happiness, life satisfaction, and feelings of life being worthwhile.
The researchers suggest that factors such as cold, dry weather in winter, reduced sunlight, and sociocultural cycles, including holidays and employment patterns, may contribute to these seasonal variations in emotional states.
The differences in mood between the winter and non-winter seasons have long been observed by many individuals. This phenomenon is particularly evident among those who experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression linked to a decrease in serotonin levels during the winter months when daylight is in short supply. The reduction in serotonin, a hormone crucial for regulating mood, can contribute to feelings of melancholy and low energy levels. In addition to serotonin, the hormone melatonin also plays a role in influencing mood. Melatonin is typically released in response to darkness, promoting feelings of drowsiness and potentially affecting mental well-being.
Through their research, the authors of this study aim to enhance the understanding of how and when mood fluctuations occur. They hope that healthcare professionals will become more adept at recognizing and addressing these changes in emotional state. Lead author Bu emphasizes the importance of considering the timing of mental health assessments, as individuals’ well-being may vary throughout the day. Bu suggests that mental health support services could benefit from adapting their resources to align with these fluctuating needs, such as offering extended availability during late hours.
The field of mental health continues to be a crucial area of focus, especially as workplace well-being faces unprecedented challenges. Employers are urged to take proactive steps to support their employees’ mental health. Furthermore, global studies have identified certain regions as “winter depression hotspots,” shedding light on the impact of environmental factors on mental health. Recognizing subtle signs of conditions like high-functioning anxiety is also essential for promoting mental wellness. Additionally, addressing the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and encouraging shifts in societal attitudes can help more individuals seek the support they need.
Originally published on Fortune.com, these insights offer valuable perspectives on the complex interplay between seasonal changes, mental health, and societal attitudes.
