Mental health and wellbeing are dynamic in nature, and subject to change over short and long periods. However, few studies have looked at how they might change over the course of the day, and those that have, tended to only look at particular, or very small, groups of people.

In the most comprehensive study of its kind, scientists have found that generally, the world feels brighter when you wake up.

The study involved almost 1m survey responses from nearly 50,000 adults over two years.

People start the day in the best frame of mind in the morning, but end in the worst, at about midnight, the findings suggest, with the day of the week and the season also playing a part. The data showed a trend of people generally reporting better mental health and well-being earlier in the day, with less severe depressive symptoms and increased happiness, life satisfaction and sense of self-worth.

Cortisol [a hormone that regulates mood, motivation and fear] peaks shortly after waking and reaches its lowest levels around bedtime.

Source: The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/05/scientists-find-that-things-really-do-seem-better-in-the-morning