Scientists confirm mornings really do feel better

From diabetes.co.uk/news

• Mental wellbeing peaks in the morning and declines towards midnight, according to a large UCL study.
• Weekends bring more emotional ups and downs, while weekdays provide steadier mental health patterns.
• Seasons influence mood, with mental health outcomes being best in the summer and lowest in winter.

Ever felt like everything seems worse at night? A bad day at work, an argument, or a stressful evening can feel overwhelming – but new research confirms that mornings really do bring a fresh perspective.

A groundbreaking study from University College London (UCL) has found that people tend to feel their best in the morning with mental wellbeing gradually declining as the day progresses, reaching its lowest point around midnight.

The study which was published in BMJ Mental Health, analysed nearly one million survey responses from 50,000 UK adults over two years.

It found that happiness, life satisfaction, and a sense of life being worthwhile were highest in the morning and lowest late at night.

How mood changes throughout the day

Mental health and wellbeing are dynamic and fluctuate throughout the day. While past research has examined short-term mood variations, this study is the most comprehensive of its kind, exploring patterns across different days, seasons, and years.

Participants were asked questions such as “How happy did you feel in the past week?”, “How satisfied are you with your life?” and “Do you feel the things you do in life are worthwhile?”

Results showed a clear pattern – people feel significantly happier and more content in the morning, with mood gradually declining as the day goes on.

Weekdays vs. weekends

The study also found that mood patterns vary by day of the week.

Happiness, life satisfaction, and a sense of purpose were higher on Mondays and Fridays than on Sundays, with happiness also peaking on Tuesdays. Surprisingly, loneliness levels did not change significantly across different days.

Weekends showed more fluctuations in mental health compared to weekdays, likely due to changes in daily routines and activities.

Seasonal impacts

Seasons also played a role in mental health.

Compared to winter, people experienced lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, higher happiness and life satisfaction and a stronger sense of life being worthwhile.

Summer was found to be the best season for mental wellbeing, with winter bringing the lowest scores across all indicators.

However, these seasonal effects did not alter the overall trend of mood declining throughout the day.

Why does mood decline at night?

Researchers suggest that changes in mental health throughout the day may be linked to our circadian rhythm – the body’s internal clock that regulates sleep, energy, and mood.

Cortisol, a key stress-regulating hormone, peaks in the morning and reaches its lowest levels around bedtime, which may contribute to feeling less resilient at night.

Daily activities and responsibilities may help structure mood during the week, while weekends, with less routine, can lead to more variability in mental wellbeing.

Dr Feifei Bu, lead researcher from UCL’s Department of Behavioural Science and Health, explained: “Our findings suggest that, on average, people’s mental health and wellbeing are better in the morning and worst at midnight.”

While this research does not establish direct cause and effect, it highlights a natural rhythm in mental wellbeing that could help guide when people seek support and how mental health services are provided.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2025/feb/scientists-confirm-mornings-really-do-feel-better.html