My mom always said, “Tomorrow will be better,” and of course, I always responded, “Easy for you to say!” Mood is known to change with the seasons, the days of the week, and even throughout the course of a single day. While we know that overall mental health fluctuates over time, it has been less clear whether our well-being shifts on a daily basis.

A recent study sheds some light on this, revealing a distinct time-of-day pattern in self-reported mental health. Researchers found that people generally wake up feeling their best and experience a decline as the day progresses, with the lowest point occurring around midnight.

Beyond the daily pattern, the study also identified trends related to the day of the week and the season. Warmer months were linked to better overall mental well-being, reinforcing what many of us have long suspected—sunshine and longer days really do boost our mood. Dr. Feifel Bu, from UCL’s Research Department of Behavioral Science and Health, explained, “Our findings suggest that on average, people’s mental health and well-being are better in the morning and worst at midnight.”

While these findings are fascinating, it’s important to remember that every individual is unique. The study relied on self-reported data, which means personal experiences varied. I, for one, always have a brighter outlook in the early hours, but by 9:00 p.m., I’m ready to call it a day. What about you? Maybe Mom was right things really do look better in the morning. Whatever your best time of day may be, embrace it, make the most of it, and appreciate each moment. After all, someone always has it worse—another classic “Momism!”

Stay well and stay informed!