New Study:  Mental Health is Better in the Morning

(Nice News) — “Never go to bed angry” is an oft-repeated piece of advice directed toward couples. But a recent study might suggest otherwise.
​
To explore how mental health and well-being fluctuate throughout the day, researchers from University College London analyzed data from nearly 50,000 people surveyed over a dozen times in a two-year span. The takeaway: Mornings have an edge over evening hours, at least from a mental health perspective.
​
“On average, people seem to feel best early in the day and worst late at night,” lead study author Feifei Bu told CNN. She added that earlier in the day, people reported less severe depressive symptoms as well as increased happiness, life satisfaction, and sense of life being worthwhile.
​
These findings could make mental health resources more effective (i.e. increasing late night availability for mental health lines), and potentially help people better manage disagreements and such.
​
“Research suggests that mood is relatively stable in the late morning, which makes it easier to handle tough topics with a level head and emotional distance,” added Pamela Rutledge, a psychology professor who was not involved in the study. In other words? We may want to take the other time-tested advice and just “sleep on it.”