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A large-scale study has shed new light on how time of day, as well as the day of the week and season, can affect mental health and well-being. Published in BMJ Mental Health, the findings suggest that people generally experience their best mental health in the morning and their worst around midnight, with mood fluctuations influenced by various factors, including the season and day of the week.
The study analyzed data from the University College London COVID-19 Social Study, which tracked mental health, happiness, life satisfaction, and loneliness from March 2020 to March 2022. Over 49,000 participants completed surveys throughout this period, providing insights into how mental well-being changes across different times of the day.
Key Findings:
- Morning Boost: Participants reported feeling their best in the morning, with the lowest levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and the highest levels of happiness, life satisfaction, and a sense of life being worthwhile.
- Midnight Slump: By midnight, mental health and well-being were at their lowest, with increased feelings of loneliness and more pronounced depressive/anxiety symptoms.
- Day of the Week: While the day of the week showed some variation, mental health was generally better on Mondays and Fridays, with the lowest ratings observed on Sundays. There was no significant difference in loneliness across days of the week.
- Seasonal Influence: Mental health was found to be better in warmer seasons, particularly in summer, with lower depressive/anxiety symptoms and higher happiness levels. The winter months showed the lowest ratings for overall well-being.
The study highlights the dynamic nature of mental health, noting that it can change over both short and extended periods. Researchers suggest that physiological factors related to the body’s circadian rhythm may explain the fluctuations observed throughout the day. For example, cortisol levels, which play a role in stress regulation, peak shortly after waking and are lowest at bedtime.
However, the study also acknowledged that this is an observational study and cannot establish a cause-effect relationship. Researchers cautioned that various factors, such as the timing of when participants filled out the surveys, sleep cycles, and external influences like weather, may also contribute to the observed patterns.
Implications for Public Health: The study’s findings have important implications for service delivery and clinical assessments. The researchers suggest that mental health resources should take into account the times when people are likely to experience their lowest mental health, especially around midnight, mid-week, and during winter.
The study serves as a reminder that our mental health and well-being are not static, and that factors such as the time of day, day of the week, and seasonal changes can play a significant role in how we feel.
Disclaimer: This study is observational in nature, and while it identifies patterns, it does not establish cause and effect. Various external factors, such as sleep cycles and weather, were not accounted for and may influence mental health. Please consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice.
