Researchers at the University of Michigan and Dartmouth Health have shed light on why some of us start the day feeling less than stellar. Studying over 2,500 medical interns using Fitbit data over two years, they found that mood drops to its lowest around 5 a.m. and reaches its peak by 5 p.m. The study highlights how lack of sleep amplifies these mood swings , lowering the lows and the highs not high enough.
The science behind our daily mood swings
The research, published in the journal PLOS Digital Health, delves into the natural mood fluctuations experienced by these interns, highlighting the role of our internal clocks. While sleep deprivation is a significant factor in mood, the study reveals that our mood has natural ups and downs, bottoming out in the early morning and gradually improving in the evening. This rhythm is closely linked to our body’s circadian clock, which regulates not only sleep but also mood.
Fitbits: a new window into mental health
This study is part of the larger Intern Health Study and is one of the first to use real-world data on such a large scale to investigate changes in mood. By correlating mood with circadian rhythm and sleep deprivation, the findings offer new insights into how our internal clocks influence our emotional well-being. The use of wearable technology, such as Fitbits, opens up exciting possibilities for monitoring and managing mental health, offering a less invasive way to monitor mood patterns and circadian rhythms.
Implications for mental health care
The implications of these findings are vast, suggesting that simple adjustments to our sleep and circadian rhythms could help improve mood and overall mental health. While the study focused on a specific group and recognizes that individual mood variations are complex, it lays the foundation for using wearable technology in clinical settings. As we continue to unravel the intricate relationship between our body clock and mood, we move ever closer to more personalized and proactive mental health care.
Notes and insights
Unraveling the interplay of circadian rhythm and sleep deprivation on mood: A Real-World Study on first-year physicians| PLOS Digital Health (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000439)
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