A large study assessing mental health and time of day found life generally feels better in the morning. (Getty: NickyLloyd)
In short:
People are likely to be happiest and have lower depression and anxiety symptoms in the morning, according to new research.
The study used data from a survey that repeatedly asked nearly 50,000 people how they were feeling over a two-year period.
What's next?
Researchers say the findings can help in the planning and provision of public health services.
Although getting out of bed may be a struggle, people generally wake up feeling their happiest, according to new international research.
Over two years, nearly 50,000 people recorded their mental health and wellbeing across the day.
The data revealed people felt their best in the morning and worst around midnight.
The peer reviewed study, published in the open access journal BMJ Mental Health, found days of the week also played a part.
Mondays and Fridays were happier days than Sundays — and moods were also better on a Tuesday.
Waking up satisfied
Researchers from the University College London said it was well-known that mental health and wellbeing were dynamic in nature, and subject to change over short and extended periods.
But few studies had looked into how time of day was associated with depression, anxiety, wellbeing and loneliness.
It was rare to also have such a large sample size, they added.
The study found clear time of day patterns in frame of mind.
The study analysed data from the University College London COVID-19 Social Study, which regularly monitored participants from March 2020 to November 2021.
It then included additional monitoring up to March 2022.
"We were able to test patterns over nearly a million observations of MHW (mental health and wellbeing), exploring the collective effects of time, day of the week, season and year," the research said.
Women made up three-quarters of respondents, and 68 per cent of people surveyed were educated to degree level.
Only 6 per cent were from ethnic minority backgrounds.
"The sample was therefore weighted to reflect population proportions," researchers said.
Life satisfaction and worthwhile ratings were generally the highest for people when they wake up. (AAP Image: Julia Carlisle)
The study found that people generally woke up in the morning "feeling best", with the lowest levels of loneliness, depression and anxiety.
At this time of day, happiness, life satisfaction, and worthwhile ratings were at their highest.
People were happier and more satisfied with life on Mondays and Fridays, than they were on Sundays.
But there was no evidence that loneliness differed throughout the week.
Seasonal moods
There were clear indications that seasons also influenced moods.
Mental health was best in the summer across all indicators.
In winter, people recorded worse levels of loneliness, and depressive and anxiety symptoms.
The colder months were also associated with less happiness, life satisfaction and feeling that life was worthwhile.
But the season did not impact how people felt across the day.
Researchers said this was "somewhat surprising", given that one of the main explanations for seasonal changes in mental health and wellbeing was due to meteorological cycles, such as daylight hours.
Mental health was best in the summer across all outcomes. (ABC News: Adam Griffiths)
Making the most of 'better' times
Psychologist Tim Sharp, chief happiness officer at The Happiness Institute, said the study raised interesting observations.
For people experiencing depression and anxiety, or treating someone with a mental health condition, it could be helpful to know when moods might shift.
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"If you do know your mood fluctuates, and when it may be better or worse in certain circumstances, then let's make use of that," Dr Sharp said.
"How can we maximise the good times … and minimise, or better manage, the bad times?"
The researchers said the findings could have implications for service delivery and clinical assessments.
"In relation to public health, our findings indicate that people's [mental health and wellbeing] tends to be lowest around midnight, mid-week, and in winter," they said.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732
- safe steps on 1800 015 188
- Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
- MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
- Headspace on 1800 650 890
- ReachOut at au.reachout.com
"This should be considered when planning service and resource provision."
The study was observational and did not determine the cause of the mood changes.
And no information was available for sleep cycles, latitude, or weather, all of which may also have been influential, the researchers said.
They suggested that changes in mental health and wellbeing across the day might be explained by the physiological changes associated with the body clock.
But the sequence of daily activities and contextual factors could also lead to differences in how people feel throughout the day and week.
Dr Sharp said it was important to keep in mind that we were all different, and that individuals' circumstances should be acknowledged.
