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Forbes
21-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
2 Ways ‘Monday Blues' Overwhelm Your Nervous System, By A Psychologist
Monday anxiety could be affecting your stress response and it doesn't stop when the weekend ends. ... More Long after, your body remembers the dread. Many people experience anxiety and low moods at the start of the workweek. It can feel like a dip in motivation or a sense of dread that creeps in as Monday approaches. This is often linked to the abrupt shift from rest to responsibility, and it's popularly known as the 'Monday blues.' Often, these blues don't wait for Monday to arrive. You can also experience them creeping in on Sunday evening, just as the weekend is about to end. You might feel heaviness in your body, a growing irritability or a background hum of anxiety you can't quite place. Over time, this has become a common lived experience and is now very normalized. But its impact runs far deeper than you may realize. A 2025 study sheds light on how anxious Mondays can impact you, both psychologically and biologically, in ways that leave a measurable imprint on your body. This large-scale study explored whether the emotional weight of Mondays could have a deeper physiological impact. Researchers used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and examined over 3,500 adults aged 50 and above. The researchers asked participants how anxious they felt the day before and what day of the week it was. Then, up to two months later, they analyzed cortisol levels from hair samples. This is a reliable indicator of long-term stress hormone exposure. They found strong evidence of a 'Monday effect.' Here are two ways your Monday anxiety could be harming you, based on the study. 1. Monday Anxiety Triggers Long-Term Biological Stress No matter what day it strikes, anxiety can impact the body in significant ways. When you feel anxious, the brain signals the body to activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis): your central stress-response system. This then leads to a release of cortisol, which is the body's primary stress hormone. Cortisol helps you in responding to challenges in the short term. However, it's important to note that when it's chronically elevated, it can contribute to a range of health issues, such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance and immune suppression. The study found that anxiety experienced specifically on Mondays may trigger a stronger and more lasting cortisol response than anxiety on any other day. Among adults aged 50 and above, those who reported feeling anxious on a Monday had 23% higher cortisol levels based on their hair samples. Hair cortisol is a marker of long-term HPA-axis activity and offers insight into how stress builds up over weeks and months. This means that the impact of Monday anxiety doesn't just fade with the day, but leaves a biological residue that persists long after. More importantly, this effect wasn't seen in people who felt anxious on other days of the week. From Tuesday through Sunday, no significant association was found between anxiety and elevated cortisol. The difference was also most significant in those at the higher end of the stress spectrum, which were individuals in the top 10% of the cortisol distribution. The Monday-anxiety link to HPA-axis dysregulation was strongest in this group. This only goes to show that Monday anxiety can't be dismissed as just another emotional dip. It brings about real and measurable change in the body. It's not just about how stressful one day feels, but about how that stress adds up over time. When the body starts to store the impact of these spikes, it starts becoming something that's etched deeper into your system. If Mondays keep feeling overwhelming, maybe it's a sign that your body's been carrying more than you thought. 2. Monday Anxiety Becomes A Habit Your Body Holds Onto It's natural to assume that Monday anxiety is just about work, the pressure of meetings, deadlines or getting back into a routine. While this may be partly true, the 2025 suggests there's likely more to this anxiety. The researchers found that the impact of Monday anxiety on stress hormones was just as strong in older adults who were no longer working. There was no difference in cortisol patterns between working and non-working individuals. This means the body's stress response to Monday anxiety persisted, even when work was no longer part of the equation. Over time, Monday anxiety can become conditioned — something the body learns to anticipate regardless of the actual circumstances. This is because, after years of starting the week under pressure, your stress system might still brace itself every Monday, even if your schedule has changed. So even in retirement or during a career break, your body might still go into 'alert mode' at the start of the week, as a result of a learned biological rhythm that your nervous system may carry with it unless consciously unlearned. Not all stress is rooted in a real or present threat; some of it is simply remembered. When patterns like Monday anxiety become ingrained, the stress response can operate in the background, where it subtly impacts how your body feels week after week. Unless you become aware of it, you run the risk of carrying stress responses that no longer serve you, simply because your body never got the signal that it's safe to let go. In light of this, it's worth remembering that even when you feel anxious, your body isn't working against you, but only trying to protect you by preparing for the perceived threat. It just doesn't always know if that threat is real or remembered. The more you notice these automatic responses, the more you can gently begin to interrupt them. Perhaps this could begin with changing the way you approach Mondays. Consistently affirm to yourself that you can handle what's ahead. You don't need to brace for impact. You just need to ease into the week in ways that feel supportive and not stressful. Create A Softer Start To Your Week A lot of the anxiety you carry on Mondays can be softened by how you treat Sunday. The goal should be to create little cues of safety that your body can start to trust. Here are a few simple ways to support your body and mind before Monday hits: Small shifts on Sunday can send a powerful signal to your body that the week doesn't have to start in survival mode. It can start with intention and a sense of control with a little conscious effort on your end to make that shift. Slowly and steadily, you can help your body unlearn older stress responses and embrace a new baseline of safety. Curious how your emotional state holds up through the week? Take this science-backed test to find out: WHO-5 Well-Being Index
Scottish Sun
13-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
‘Sunday scaries' is real health threat ‘increasing your risk of heart attack', experts warn
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CALL it "Sunday scaries" or "Monday blues", dreading the start of a new week can trigger long-term stress and take a toll on your heart health, scientists warn. The anxiety isn't just workplace related - retirees also displayed signs of heightened stress on Mondays after they'd stopped working. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Feeling stressed on Mondays doesn't stop when you retire, researchers found Credit: Getty Researchers from the University of Hong Kong dubbed this the "Anxious Monday" effect. It suggests dysregulation of the body's stress management system - which is known to drive heart disease - is linked to the start of the week, regardless of work status, researchers said. Previous research has shown a 19 per cent increase in heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths on Mondays, the study authors also pointed out. They believe spikes in Monday heart attacks were unlikely to be random. Lead author Professor Tarani Chandola from the department of sociology, faculty of social sciences at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), said: 'Mondays act as a cultural 'stress amplifier'. 'For some older adults, the week's transition triggers a biological cascade that lingers for months. "This isn't about work - it's about how deeply ingrained Mondays are in our stress physiology, even after careers end." Feelings of stress and anxiety are linked to cardiovascular disease through a key biological mechanism called hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. The HPA axis is the body's main way of responding to stress and results in the release of cortisol - known as the stress hormone - in the body. HPA axis dysregulation is characterised by excessive levels of cortisol production, which has previously been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and death, researchers explained. Feeling stressed Watch our 4-minute at-home yoga workout scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and tension It's also known to contribute to hypertension, insulin resistance, and immune dysfunction. The study team set out to examine whether "HPA-axis dysregulation is greater on Mondays than on other days, and whether this association is greater for working compared to non-working adults", they wrote in the Journal of Affective Disorders. They assessed data from over 3,500 older adults taking part in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, including hair samples that showed cortisol levels in participants' bodies. People who reported feeling more anxious on Mondays had 23 per cent higher cortisol levels in their hair samples than those who felt anxious on other days. This was also seen among retirees, challenging assumptions that workplace stress alone explains "Monday blues". When stress is something to worry about For many of us, stress can be a part of our daily life - to the point that we don't pick up on red flags until it's too late. Stress can affect you physically and mentally, as well as causing changes to your behaviour, the NHS notes. You may experience some of the following signs when struggling with stress: Headaches or dizziness Muscle tension or pain Stomach problems Chest pain or a faster heartbeat Sexual problems Difficulty concentrating Struggling to make decisions Feeling overwhelmed Constantly worrying Being forgetful Being irritable and snappy Sleeping too much or too little Eating too much or too little Avoiding certain places or people Drinking or smoking more If stress is taking a toll on your life, that's a sign to seek help for it. Try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member or health professional. You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@ if you need someone to talk to If you need more support, you can get free talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on the NHS. You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP. Source: NHS Researchers concluded: 'This study found strong evidence for an association between reporting anxiety on Mondays and HPA-axis dysregulation. 'The anxious Monday association with HPA-axis dysregulation measured subsequently was evident among both working and nonworking older adults, with no reduction in the association among those not at work." The findings suggest social patterns - not just job demands - embed themselves in human physiology, with lasting health risks, researchers said. Previous studies have pointed to higher stress hormone levels among people on weekdays versus weekends, but the latest research is the first to pinpoint Mondays as uniquely disruptive. Researchers hope addressing Monday-specific stressors could pave the way for new strategies to combat heart disease. "Hospitals and clinics need to plan for increased CVD events on Mondays," they also suggested. "Most people should adapt to their feelings of Monday anxiety over their working life course. "However, for some people, there is a lack of adaptation to Monday anxiety, and this does not appear to diminish when they stop working."
Newsweek
06-07-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
'Anxious Mondays' Lead to Stress That Lasts Months
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Older adults who experience anxiety on Mondays show significantly elevated long-term stress levels—regardless of whether they are still working—according to new research. The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, is the first to identify Monday specifically as a driver of biological stress that can persist for weeks. Analyzing data from more than 3,500 older adults in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), the study found that those who reported anxiety on Mondays had 23 percent higher cortisol levels in hair samples collected two months later as compared to peers who felt anxious on other days. The findings point to a physiological link between the start of the week and the body's stress response system, specifically the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Chronic dysregulation of the nervous system, marked by sustained elevated cortisol levels, is already known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and immune dysfunction. "Mondays act as a cultural 'stress amplifier,'" paper author and medical sociologist professor Tarani Chandola of the University of Hong Kong, said in a statement. "For some older adults, the week's transition triggers a biological cascade that lingers for months." A nurse looks stressed and anxious while walking through a hospital. A nurse looks stressed and anxious while walking through a hospital. Getty Images "This isn't about work—it's about how deeply ingrained Mondays are in our stress physiology, even after careers end." The effect of an anxiety-charged Monday was not limited to people still in employment. Older adults who were retired showed the same pattern, suggesting that societal rhythms—rather than job-specific demands—may embed themselves in the body's stress mechanisms over time. While prior research had documented higher cortisol levels on weekdays compared to weekends, this study is the first to isolate Monday as uniquely disruptive. It also found that only 25 percent of the Monday effect was due to higher reported anxiety levels on that day. The remaining 75 percent stemmed from the disproportionate physiological impact of Monday anxiety compared to anxiety on other days. The researchers propose that long-term exposure to a structured, weekly routine may condition the body to respond more strongly to anxiety at the start of the week. Over time, this could explain why Mondays are consistently linked to higher rates of adverse health events—including a 19 percent increase in heart attacks. By identifying a biological mechanism behind these risks, the study adds to growing evidence that the structure of the week itself can shape long-term health. Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about stress? Let us know via health@ Reference Chandola, T., Ling, W., & Rouxel, P. (2025). Are anxious Mondays associated with HPA-axis dysregulation? A longitudinal study of older adults in England. Journal of Affective Disorders, 389.
The Star
05-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Stay positive to keep your memory sharp
Psychosocial factors, like being positive and feeling good, appear to have a positive influence on our ability to remember. — dpa Staying positive can cut the risk of memory loss in middle age, a 16-year study suggests. Researchers tracked more than 10,000 people aged over 50 and found that those with higher levels of well-being were more likely to have better scores on memory tests. They also reported a greater sense of control, independence and freedom to make choices than other people. While the link was small, researchers suggested it was significant. Study co-author and Britain's University College London professor of ageing and clinical psychology Dr Joshua Stott said: 'This study represents an important step toward understanding the interplay between well-being and memory over time. 'It offers new insights into how self-rated well-being is associated with memory and vice versa. 'While our findings are preliminary, they highlight the importance of considering psychosocial influences on brain health, such as memory.' The study tracked 10,760 men and women over 50 who took part in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. They were assessed on well-being and memory every two years – a total of nine times during the 16-year study period, starting in 2002. Researchers checked people's ability to learn and recall 10 words immediately and after a delay. Well-being was also assessed using a quality-of-life questionnaire, looking at areas such as pleasure, control and autonomy. Questions people were asked included the phrases: 'I can do the things that I want to do' and 'I feel that life is full of opportunities.' The study found a small, but significant association between higher well-being and better memory, which still existed even after any depression was taken into account. The researchers also suggested reasons why well-being may have a positive impact on memory, such as people may be more likely to exercise, which improves health. Age, gender, other lifestyle factors and socioeconomic status may also have a negative or positive impact on well-being and memory, they added. The authors found no evidence that it was poor memory causing low well-being in some people, but they stressed that this could not be ruled out. 'Loving your heart, staying sharp and keeping connected are key to protecting our brain health as we age,' Alzheimer's Research UK information services manager Emma Taylor said, cautioning that this research is observational and that more work was needed to understand how a positive well-being and memory are connected. 'Looking after our mental well-being plays an important part in our overall health. 'And it's never too late to start taking steps to keep our brains healthy throughout our lives and lessen the devastating impact of dementia.' Study co-author and assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri, United States, Dr Emily Willroth, said: 'Going forward, it would be fantastic if this research can build on the foundations of ongoing memory research to potentially inform strategies supporting cognitive health in ageing populations – that is the aim.' The study was published in the journal Aging & Mental Health . – PA Media/dpa
NDTV
27-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
New Study Reveals Why Smarter People Make Fewer Life Mistakes. Its All In The IQ
A new study from the University of Bath's School of Management has found that individuals with higher IQs are better at making accurate predictions, which helps them make smarter decisions and achieve better life outcomes. The study titled IQ, Genes, and Miscalibrated Expectations was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The research shows that people in the lowest 2.5% IQ range made forecasting errors more than twice as large as those in the top 2.5%, highlighting a strong link between intelligence and real-world success. According to a News Release, the research used data from a nationally representative sample of people over 50 in England (English Longitudinal Study of Ageing ELSA), assessing their ability to predict their own life expectancy. Individuals were asked to predict their probability of living to certain ages, and these estimates were compared with the probabilities taken from Office for National Statistics life tables (a demographic tool used to analyse death rates and calculate life expectancies at various ages). The study controlled for differences in lifestyle, health, and genetic longevity. By analysing participants' scores on a variety of cognitive tests, as well as genetic markers linked to intelligence and educational success, Chris Dawson, Professor of Economics and Behavioural Science at the University of Bath, showed that smarter individuals tend to have more accurate beliefs about uncertain future events - they are more skilled at assessing probability. Individuals with a higher IQ are significantly better at forecasting, making fewer errors (both positive and negative) and showing more consistent judgement compared to those with a lower IQ. "Accurately assessing the probability of good and bad things happening to us is central to good decision-making," said Professor Dawson. "Almost all decisions we make, whether it's starting a business, investing, crossing the road, choosing who to date, all require probabilistic assessments. "IQ is already known to predict health, wealth, income, occupational status and educational attainment and this research highlights one possible channel through which people with a lower IQ do worse on all these outcomes." Professor Dawson suggests that explicitly stating probability estimates on information relating to health and finance for example, rather than relying on individuals to do their own calculations, could help people prone to forecasting errors to make more informed, accurate decisions. "The study shows that certain genetic traits linked to intelligence and education are associated with more accurate predictions, suggesting that lower cognitive ability may causally contribute to the formation of more biased assessments," said Professor Dawson."Probability estimation is the most important aspect of decision-making and people who struggle with this are at a distinct disadvantage. "Expectations about the future shape how households make critical decisions - like how much to save, when to retire, or whether to invest. Poorly calibrated expectations can lead to bad financial decisions, and reduced economic welfare, which can adversely affect national growth."
