Daytime and Mental Health: Why You Feel Better in the Morning

Your parents may be right. Getting adequate sleep may considerably enhance how you'll feel the next day. According to a recent study, our mental health and moods vary throughout the day. The best times for positive emotions and productivity were found to be in the mornings.

Mental Health Peaks in the Morning:

A new research led by the principal research fellow at University College London, Dr. Feifei Bu shows when people do best mentally, during the day. A BMJ Mental Health just published a paper stating that mental health is always better in people during the mornings, where, in those early hours, subjects report fewer signs of depression; higher life fulfillment; and greater self-worth.

It looked into the responses from over 49,000 people surveyed on numerous occasions between March 2020 and March 2022. Results indicate participants felt happiest, contented, and generally happy when their survey coincided with their morning and had poor mental health that often degenerated during the day.

Difference between correlation and causation:

The studies on it found a strong link between time of day and mental health. The experts advised that it should not be assumed that time of day is the only factor.

According to Dr. Bu, "mental health could influence the timing of when people choose to respond to surveys." The findings must be confirmed by further research.

For example; a media psychologist like Dr. Pamela Rutledge stated that mental health and well-being are complex concepts. While mental health is an important aspect, well-being is the wider concept and embraces social, economic, and environmental conditions, as well as a sense of purpose, in addition to quality of life.

The Need for Flexible Mental Health Resources:

It could better the mental health support services as it understands the ebbs and flows of mental health throughout the day. Dr. Bu proposed a shift in adjusting mental health resources according to fluctuations, especially their availability in the late evening when there is a requirement for people.

This is in line with previous studies that show an increase in demand for mental health interventions, especially among the youth, during evening hours. Seasonality, daylight hours, and regional differences also contribute to this demand.

When Is the Best Time to Tackle Tough Issues?

So, should you avoid dealing with emotionally challenging situations late at night and wait for the morning? Research is not so clear on this, but most experts agree that late morning is generally the best time for problem-solving.

Dr. Rutledge thus stated that mood is more stable in the late morning and hence would be more capable of tackling anything easily with a fresh mind in comparison.

 Second, mid-afternoon has lower levels of cortisol; yet, it is still not the best hour for major decision-making because of decision fatigue and mood swings.

For personal emotional processing, like journaling or thinking about your emotions, early evening may be a better time.

Dr. Rutledge also suggested that the early evening would be an opportune time for empathetic listening, once balance in emotions has been restored.

Seasonal and Environmental Factors:

Even though time of day is a strong influence, according to Dr. Rutledge, other elements also impact mental health and well-being. Stress, sense of autonomy, social support, and even environmental conditions will influence our mood.

The season is also important. Seasonal changes, in terms of day length, temperature, and even more, may influence how individuals feel and interact with their surroundings.

What If you're a Night Owl?

Of course, most of us might be night owls, for we are mostly at our best late at night. So relax, night owl. The conclusion may vary for each person, and average findings don't always mean reality. Dr. Bu reminded people that individual circumstances may differ according to personal patterns. So you need not rush into changing habits based on conclusions from the research study.

Conclusion:

This study indicates that time plays a significant role in our psychological functions such that we feel best in the morning and worst towards the evening. However, it would be imperative to understand how the time of day impacts psychological issues and what the real driving forces are behind this pattern. However, regardless of when you feel best, take care of your mental health and your general wellness, and seek help when needed—come what may.

Source: CNN