A large study published in the open access journal BMJ Mental Health has revealed that morning hours bring significant relief to mental health, with people generally feeling best in the mornings and worst at midnight. The study, which analyzed data from nearly 1 million observations, found clear patterns of self-reported mental health and well-being across the day, with people waking up feeling happy and satisfied, but experiencing a decline in mood as the night wore on.
The researchers found that happiness, life satisfaction, and a sense of life being worthwhile were highest during weekdays, particularly Mondays and Fridays. In contrast, loneliness was higher on weekends. The study also revealed a seasonal influence on mood, with mental health improving from winter to summer months.
The findings have implications for service delivery and clinical assessments, suggesting that people’s mental health tends to be lowest around midnight, mid-week, and in winter. While the study cannot establish cause due to its observational nature, researchers suggest that physiological changes associated with the body clock could explain the observed patterns. The results highlight the importance of considering daily rhythms when planning service and resource provision for mental health support.
The study’s authors note that further research is needed to explore potential contextual factors driving day-to-day changes in mental health and well-being.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-generally-morning-large.html