Latest news with #Covid-19SocialStudy
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Things really do seem better in the morning, scientists say
People often tell their loved ones 'everything will be better in the morning', and now scientists have shown this is likely to be true. A large study found the mornings are often the time of day people are at their best and report the greatest feelings of wellbeing. The research also reinforced what people often believe to be true – that the summer months make people feel happier than the winter ones. Experts analysed data from 49,218 adults drawn from the University College London (UCL) Covid-19 Social Study, which followed people for two years from March 2020 to March 2022. The findings showed that people generally woke up 'feeling best' but, by midnight, they were 'feeling worst'. Researchers added: 'There is also an association with day of the week and season, with particularly strong evidence for better mental health and wellbeing in the summer.' The team, writing in the journal BMJ Mental Health, concluded: 'Generally, things do seem better in the morning.' They also noted that people tended to have more varied mental health during weekends while things were steadier during the week. For the study, researchers looked at variations in mental health (depressive and/or anxiety symptoms), happiness, life satisfaction, the sense of life being worthwhile, and loneliness. People in the study answered questionnaires, including questions such as: 'In the past week, how happy did you feel?', 'How satisfied have you been with your life?', and 'To what extent have you felt the things you are doing in your life are worthwhile?' Factors such as age, health conditions and whether people worked were taken into account. The results showed that happiness, life satisfaction, and worthwhile ratings were all higher on Mondays and Fridays than on Sundays, and happiness was also higher on Tuesdays. But there was no evidence that loneliness differed across days of the week. The researchers also suggested that changes in mental health and wellbeing across the day might be explained by physiological changes associated with the body clock. 'For example, cortisol (a hormone that regulates mood, motivation and fear) peaks shortly after waking and reaches its lowest levels around bedtime,' they said. However, they said the differences noted between weekdays and weekends may be driven by things such as the sequence of daily activities, which are likely to be different between weekends and weekdays. Dr Feifei Bu, from UCL's department of behavioural science and health, said: 'Our findings suggest that on average, people's mental health and wellbeing are better in the morning and worst at midnight. 'We drew on a large sample of repeated data – nearly a million survey responses from 49,000 participants over two years. 'However, this pattern could reflect when people choose to respond to the survey, rather than a direct effect of time of day. 'For example, those already feeling better in the morning might be more likely to engage with the survey at that time. 'While these findings are intriguing, they need to be replicated in other studies that fully account for this potential bias. 'If validated, this could have important practical implications. Researchers investigating people's mental health and wellbeing should take into account the time of day people respond. 'Mental health support services might consider adjusting resources to match fluctuating needs across the day – for instance, prioritising late-night availability.'
The Independent
05-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
8 simple morning habits to boost your happiness
New research has found that mornings are when people generally feel their best, and report the greatest feelings of wellbeing. Researchers analysed data from more than 49,000 adults as part of the University College London (UCL) Covid-19 Social Study, which tracked participants from March 2020 to March 2022. Participants answered questions such as: 'In the past week, how happy did you feel?', 'How satisfied have you been with your life?', and 'To what extent have you felt the things you are doing in your life are worthwhile?' Published in BMJ Mental Health journal, the findings revealed that people generally woke up 'feeling best' but, by midnight, they were 'feeling worst'. The researchers suggested that this shift in mood may be linked to physiological changes associated with the body clock. 'For example, cortisol (a hormone that regulates mood, motivation and fear) peaks shortly after waking and reaches its lowest levels around bedtime,' commented the researchers. The findings also reinforced that people tend to feel happier in the summer months compared to the winter months. So, how can we overcome winter's impact on our mood? Here are 8 simple habits to incorporate into your morning routine to boost your wellbeing, whatever the weather… 1. Don't hit snooze 'When you hit snooze, you disrupt your sleep cycle, which can lead to grogginess,' says E.M. Austen, author of Smarter, 10 Lessons For A More Productive And Less Stressed Life. 'Instead, place your alarm out of reach to encourage yourself to get out of bed immediately. 'You could also set your alarm for the latest possible time you need to rise, allowing yourself to wake up feeling more refreshed. This minor adjustment can transform your mornings and set a more energised tone for the day ahead.' 2. Do a crossword 'Crosswords are enjoyable and a relaxing activity, bringing a sense of achievement and goal attainment – boosting our mood and the much-needed neurochemical release for wellbeing,' says Natalie Mackenzie, cognitive rehabilitation therapist. 3. Try mindfulness 'Find a quiet space, close your eyes, and spend 5-10 minutes in meditation or mindfulness,' recommends Nicci Roscoe, holistic health and wellbeing practitioner, and author of Micro Meditation: Moments Of Calm For A Happier, Healthier Life. ' Focus on your breath or follow a short guided meditation. This is the time to just be present and calm your mind before you dive into the day's tasks.' 4. Take a laughter break 'If you are feeling low, laughter is a brilliant tonic,' says Sarah Campus, personal trainer and founder of holistic wellness platform LDN MUMS FITNESS. 'Try listening to a funny podcast as you're getting ready, sometimes all we need is a good old chuckle to help us feel happier.' 5. Start your day with a protein-rich breakfast Fuel your body and your mind. 'I recommend eggs, avocado, seeds, tomato and spinach on rye toast first thing,' advises Chloe Thomas, personal trainer, and nutrition and mindset coach. 'If you reach for sugary and starchy cereals you will get a sugar slump and crash later that morning. 'The cleaner you eat, the better you feel, so take the time to enjoy your food.' 6. Integrate arts, culture and heritage into morning rituals 'Starting the day with a cultural ritual, such as listening to music, engaging in mindful sketching or reading poetry, fosters a sense of identity, continuity and joy,' suggests Jody Findlay, founder of Mindseta. ' Research has highlighted that engaging with the arts – whether through music, storytelling or creative expression – improves mental and physical health, reducing stress and increasing emotional resilience.' 7. Have a little morning dance ' Dance is amazing as a form of cardio, but it's also brilliant to raise the endorphins and serotonin that make us happy,' says Dominika Blonska, personal trainer and founder of Define By Dom. 'Pop on tunes that make you feel happy and dance like no one is watching. 'The more you can shake the stagnancy out of your body, the more the happy hormones will flow. You do not have to be any good, don't overthink it… just move!' 8. Smile in the mirror So simple, yet so effective. 'Did you know that smiling can trick your brain into happiness? The act of smiling activates pathways in your brain that influence your emotional state,' says Alison Goolnik, an integrative psychotherapist at Therapy Here. 'So, try smiling at yourself in the mirror, smile at your colleagues and family and see how it makes you feel.'
The Independent
05-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Scientists reveal what time of the day people are at their peak
New research suggests there may be truth behind the common reassurance, "everything will be better in the morning". A large-scale study has found that mornings are often when people are at their peak, reporting the highest levels of wellbeing. The study also confirmed the widely held belief that summer months contribute to greater happiness compared to winter. Scientists analysed data from 49,218 adults participating in the University College London (UCL) Covid-19 Social Study, which tracked individuals for two years, from March 2020 to March 2022. The findings showed that people generally woke up 'feeling best' but, by midnight, they were 'feeling worst'. Researchers added: 'There is also an association with day of the week and season, with particularly strong evidence for better mental health and wellbeing in the summer.' The team, writing in the journal BMJ Mental Health, concluded: 'Generally, things do seem better in the morning.' They also noted that people tended to have more varied mental health during weekends while things were steadier during the week. For the study, researchers looked at variations in mental health (depressive and/or anxiety symptoms), happiness, life satisfaction, the sense of life being worthwhile, and loneliness. People in the study answered questionnaires, including questions such as: 'In the past week, how happy did you feel?', 'How satisfied have you been with your life?', and 'To what extent have you felt the things you are doing in your life are worthwhile?' Factors such as age, health conditions and whether people worked were taken into account. The results showed that happiness, life satisfaction, and worthwhile ratings were all higher on Mondays and Fridays than on Sundays, and happiness was also higher on Tuesdays. But there was no evidence that loneliness differed across days of the week. The researchers also suggested that changes in mental health and wellbeing across the day might be explained by physiological changes associated with the body clock. 'For example, cortisol (a hormone that regulates mood, motivation and fear) peaks shortly after waking and reaches its lowest levels around bedtime,' they said. However, they said the differences noted between weekdays and weekends may be driven by things such as the sequence of daily activities, which are likely to be different between weekends and weekdays. Dr Feifei Bu, from UCL's department of behavioural science and health, said: 'Our findings suggest that on average, people's mental health and wellbeing are better in the morning and worst at midnight. 'We drew on a large sample of repeated data – nearly a million survey responses from 49,000 participants over two years. 'However, this pattern could reflect when people choose to respond to the survey, rather than a direct effect of time of day. 'For example, those already feeling better in the morning might be more likely to engage with the survey at that time. 'While these findings are intriguing, they need to be replicated in other studies that fully account for this potential bias. 'If validated, this could have important practical implications. Researchers investigating people's mental health and wellbeing should take into account the time of day people respond. 'Mental health support services might consider adjusting resources to match fluctuating needs across the day – for instance, prioritising late-night availability.'
The Independent
04-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Things really do seem better in the morning, scientists say
People often tell their loved ones 'everything will be better in the morning', and now scientists have shown this is likely to be true. A large study found the mornings are often the time of day people are at their best and report the greatest feelings of wellbeing. The research also reinforced what people often believe to be true – that the summer months make people feel happier than the winter ones. Experts analysed data from 49,218 adults drawn from the University College London (UCL) Covid-19 Social Study, which followed people for two years from March 2020 to March 2022. The findings showed that people generally woke up 'feeling best' but, by midnight, they were 'feeling worst'. Researchers added: 'There is also an association with day of the week and season, with particularly strong evidence for better mental health and wellbeing in the summer.' Cortisol (a hormone that regulates mood, motivation and fear) peaks shortly after waking and reaches its lowest levels around bedtime Researchers The team, writing in the journal BMJ Mental Health, concluded: 'Generally, things do seem better in the morning.' They also noted that people tended to have more varied mental health during weekends while things were steadier during the week. For the study, researchers looked at variations in mental health (depressive and/or anxiety symptoms), happiness, life satisfaction, the sense of life being worthwhile, and loneliness. People in the study answered questionnaires, including questions such as: 'In the past week, how happy did you feel?', 'How satisfied have you been with your life?', and 'To what extent have you felt the things you are doing in your life are worthwhile?' Factors such as age, health conditions and whether people worked were taken into account. The results showed that happiness, life satisfaction, and worthwhile ratings were all higher on Mondays and Fridays than on Sundays, and happiness was also higher on Tuesdays. Dr Feifei Bu, UCL But there was no evidence that loneliness differed across days of the week. The researchers also suggested that changes in mental health and wellbeing across the day might be explained by physiological changes associated with the body clock. 'For example, cortisol (a hormone that regulates mood, motivation and fear) peaks shortly after waking and reaches its lowest levels around bedtime,' they said. However, they said the differences noted between weekdays and weekends may be driven by things such as the sequence of daily activities, which are likely to be different between weekends and weekdays. Dr Feifei Bu, from UCL's department of behavioural science and health, said: 'Our findings suggest that on average, people's mental health and wellbeing are better in the morning and worst at midnight. 'We drew on a large sample of repeated data – nearly a million survey responses from 49,000 participants over two years. 'However, this pattern could reflect when people choose to respond to the survey, rather than a direct effect of time of day. 'For example, those already feeling better in the morning might be more likely to engage with the survey at that time. 'While these findings are intriguing, they need to be replicated in other studies that fully account for this potential bias. 'If validated, this could have important practical implications. Researchers investigating people's mental health and wellbeing should take into account the time of day people respond. 'Mental health support services might consider adjusting resources to match fluctuating needs across the day – for instance, prioritising late-night availability.'
