Summary
A University College London study analyzed nearly one million survey responses from 49,000 adults over two years and found that mental health is generally better in the morning, worsening by midnight.
Happiness and life satisfaction fluctuate by day and season, peaking in summer and on certain weekdays.
The study, published in BMJ Mental Health, suggests physiological factors like cortisol levels and daily routines may explain these patterns.
Researchers recommend considering time of day in mental health research and service availability, though causation remains unproven.
That tracks. There’s a greater chunk of time that’s not yet tainted when you first wake up, and when the air doesn’t hurt your face it’s nicer to be out in fresh air.
Glad there’s some data behind the common sense at least.
