What is the absolute worst time of the day?

Researchers from the University of Michigan and Dartmouth Health discovered the worst time of day when people tend to have the lowest mood.

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In a study of more than 2,500 participants, researchers found that 5 a.m. is officially the worst time of the day. This is the time when people reported their moods being lower, compared to 5pm, when they were most cheerful.

5 a.m. was also the worst regardless of what time participants woke up, but their mood was worse the longer they were awake.

“Mood naturally fluctuates with the lowest point in the morning and the highest point in the evening regardless of sleep deprivation,” said the study's lead author, Dr. Ben Shapiro of Dartmouth Health. “Sleep deprivation is a separate process that increases mood decline. "He wakes up all night until 5 a.m. His mood should be lower than if he had just woken up at 5 a.m. However, on a normal day, his mood at 5 a.m. will still be lower than his mood in the evening."

The study, published in the journal PLOS Digital Health, used data from Fitbit wearable devices from 2,602 trainees over two years.

Each smart device allowed researchers to measure participants' heart rates, step counts, sleep data, and daily mood scores.

The team also estimated the participants' circadian rhythm.

Lead researcher Professor Danny Forger, from the University of Michigan, said: “We discovered that mood follows a rhythm linked to the body’s internal clock (circadian clock), and the influence of the clock increases when a person stays awake for a longer period. The study highlights the important role that the body clock plays in mood.” "Wearable technology offers an exciting new way to explore these factors in mental health problems."

In addition to wearing Fitbits, participants took a daily assessment at any time, where they were asked, “How was your mood today?” Mood was measured on a scale from 1 to 10.

The results not only highlighted dips and peaks in mood at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m., but also showed that mood deteriorated the longer participants were awake.