Why You Feel Better in the Morning: New Research Reveals Daily Mental Health Fluctuations
CNN
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Your parents might have been right all along: getting enough sleep can significantly improve your mental health and well-being, according to a recent study.
Dr. Feifei Bu, principal research fellow in statistics and epidemiology at University College London, stated in an email, “Our study suggests that mental health and well-being can vary throughout the day. People tend to feel best early in the morning and worst late at night on average.”
The Daily Cycle of Mental Health
Researchers analyzed data from University College London, which included over 49,000 people who were surveyed multiple times between March 2020 and March 2022. The findings were published in the journal BMJ Mental Health.
Surveys revealed a clear trend: people reported better mental health and well-being in the morning, marked by reduced depressive symptoms and heightened feelings of happiness, life satisfaction, and self-esteem.
Correlation vs. Causation
While the study identifies a notable correlation between time of day and mental well-being, Bu emphasizes that this research does not establish causation. She added, “Time of day might influence mental health, but conversely, mental state could influence whether someone decides to respond at a specific time.”
Dr. Pamela Rutledge, director of the Media Psychology Research Center and emeritus professor of media psychology at Fielding Graduate University, further elaborates on the complexity of mental health and well-being: “These terms are related but distinct. Mental health is a vital aspect of well-being, yet well-being encompasses more than mental health alone.”
According to the World Health Organization, well-being is a positive state shaped by social, economic, and environmental conditions, encompassing both quality of life and a sense of purpose.
“Mood is a temporary affective state, whereas mental health and well-being are broader, more stable conditions involving emotional, psychological, and cognitive assessments,” Rutledge explains.
Implications for Mental Health Support
Understanding these fluctuations could guide the strategic allocation of mental health resources, Bu suggests. “Mental health services might need to prioritize late-night availability to support individuals when they need it most.”
Best Times for Handling Challenging Issues
The study doesn’t definitively state when individuals should tackle emotionally challenging tasks, but there are some insights from other research. Rutledge advises, “Late morning is typically when mood is stable, making it easier to address tough issues with emotional clarity and distance.”
“In the late morning, one’s mood tends to be more consistent, providing a balanced perspective for addressing difficult matters,” she adds.
Midafternoon is when cortisol levels, often linked to stress, may ease. However, this drop is often offset by a decline in mood and increasing decision fatigue, as Rutledge explains.
