Soul-touching hours: Discover when we are saddest and happiest during the day

It is known that mood changes depending on the seasons of the year, the days of the week, or the situations we go through in our daily lives.

The third Monday of January is considered the most depressing day of the year, while all Mondays are characterized by a melancholic atmosphere. On the other hand, Saturdays are full of joy and optimism, as are Fridays, as we take a break from work during the weekend. At the same time, at Easter we may feel more optimistic, while at Christmas we may feel more melancholic. However, in one way or another we have determined how certain days make us feel throughout the year.

But what about the hours of the day? Is it possible that within a 24-hour period we feel happier at certain times and sadder at other times?

To assess the association of time of day with depression, anxiety, well-being and loneliness, scientists from University College London conducted a daily mental health and well-being analysis. The findings were published in BMJ Mental Health, and the researchers noted:

"Our moods change over the seasons, the days of the week, and even throughout the day - every day. Although mental health and overall well-being also change over the months and weeks."

The research analyzed data from 49,218 adults who participated in a study that collected detailed and repeated data from the same participants over time for a 2-year period, from March 2020 to March 2022.

Participants answered questions such as: "Last week, how happy did you feel? How satisfied were you with your life?", and "To what extent did you think the things you do in your life are worthwhile?".

Factors such as age, health status, and whether individuals were employed were taken into consideration.

The results showed that happiness and satisfaction were all higher on Mondays and Fridays compared to Sundays. Mental health was better during the summer across all outcomes.

Mood swings over 24 hours

Changes in mental health and well-being throughout the day could be explained by changes related to the biological clock, the researchers noted.

"For example, cortisol [the hormone that regulates mood, motivation] peaks immediately after waking and reaches its lowest levels around bedtime," they said.

However, the researchers added that the differences between weekdays and weekends could be due to things such as the sequence of daily activities, which are likely to be different at the beginning and end of the week.

In short, even though we wake up from the alarm, we are still in a much better mood in the morning than in the evening, when we lie down to sleep. The latter can happen due to fatigue and the workload of the day, while in the morning we are "charged" and are much more energetic and happy for a new day.