Study reveals: This is the time we are happiest

There are larks and owls. Larks like to get up early, feel their best in the morning, and prefer to go to bed early in the evening. Owls, on the other hand, are night owls; they stay in bed later in the morning if possible and only really get going in the afternoon or evening. So far, so familiar. However, a study by University College London (UCL) has now shown that people—regardless of whether they are more of a lark or an owl—are apparently happier in the morning than in the evening.

Large mental health study: Great in the morning, bad in the evening?

For the research, nearly 50,000 people were surveyed daily over two years. They took notes about their mental health and well-being throughout the day. Factors such as age, general health, and whether the individuals were employed were also taken into account.

From the data obtained, the researchers found that, on average, people felt best in the morning and worst in the evening. People's mood fluctuated throughout the day before reaching its lowest point in the evening.

Days of the week and seasons also play a role

But it's not just the time of day that seems to play a role in our mood; the day of the week also plays a role. According to the study, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays were among the happiest days, while participants were least satisfied on Sundays. This could be related to the classic Sunday scares – the fear that arises on Sundays about the next week and the approaching start of work on Monday, which can completely spoil our mood.

And—not surprisingly—the people who participated in the study were happier during the summer months than during the winter months. Changes in light could play a major role here, as the dwindling daylight and short days of the cold season affect many people's moods, in extreme cases leading to the winter blues or even seasonal depression .

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Study results: These points must be considered

The most exciting finding from this study, namely the fact that people often experience the highest levels of satisfaction immediately after waking up in the morning, could also have physiological reasons, according to the British researchers. "For example, cortisol levels, a hormone that regulates our mood, motivation, and anxiety, are highest immediately after waking up and at their lowest at bedtime," they explain.

However, Dr. Feifei Bu of University College London points out something else: "This pattern could also be a reflection of the time of day people completed the survey, rather than a direct effect of the time of day." For example, people who feel better in the morning might be more motivated to answer the questions right away.

Taking these limitations into account, the scientist says: "Our findings are indeed exciting, but they need to be confirmed by further studies that take this potential bias into account."

mbl Brigitte

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