Sunday blues peak at 7pm, new study finds
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By ROGER DOBSON
Published: | Updated:
It has long been described as the Sunday blues – that common feeling of flatness and woe as we contemplate the working week ahead.
But scientists have confirmed it is more than just a dip in mood – it is, in fact, a real affliction that affects us physically and mentally and even impacts our behaviour.
The study – which analysed global research, carried out focus groups and examined personal diaries – found that the blues peaked at around 7pm on Sunday and were triggered by the frustration of an unfulfilled weekend and the impending stress of the coming week.
People involved in the research described feelings such as 'sadness, regret, and emptiness, as well as anxiety and stress'.
But these also came alongside eight physical symptoms which could affect our overall health, including fatigue, restlessness, increased heart rate, stomach discomfort, food cravings, muscle tension and tearfulness, the researchers found.
Writing in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, Dr Zhuochao Peng, who led the study at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, said many people feel 'regret' over not making the most of their weekend or feel that they have not had enough rest or personal time.
'Decreased patience or tolerance also surfaced, with several noting a heightened sensitivity to minor frustrations and a tendency to respond more harshly than usual,' he added.
'As Sunday evening unfolded, many described a sudden realisation of losing a time for fun and relaxation, often leaving them feeling sad.'
Around eight out of ten people are said to be affected by changes in mood on a Sunday evening, previous research has suggested.
Coping strategies included long showers, cuddling pets, indulging in a favourite tipple, playing board games and watching comedies on television.
A new study has found that the blues peaked at around 7pm on Sunday
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