Weekends are supposed to be the highlight of our week, right? No alarms, no work emails, just pure, unfiltered bliss. But what if I told you that science says otherwise? A study by University College London (UCL) has found that people are actually happier during the workweek than on weekends.
Yes, Mondays and Fridays rank higher on the happiness scale than your lazy Sundays! (What?!) But why? Is it routine? Is it the fear of unstructured time? Or do we just secretly enjoy the grind more than we admit?
More Structure, More Satisfaction
It sounds counterintuitive, but having a well defined routine might be the secret ingredient to happiness. The UCL study, which analysed data from 49,000 adults between 2020 and 2022, found that people reported higher life satisfaction on Mondays and Fridays compared to Sundays.
Dr Feifei Bu, the lead researcher, explains, “Happiness, life satisfaction, and a sense of purpose were all slightly higher on Mondays and Fridays than on Sundays.”
One possible reason? Routine brings stability. Workdays give us a sense of purpose, social interactions, and predictable schedules, while weekends can often feel aimless. Fridays bring the excitement of the upcoming break, and Mondays bring a fresh start. Sundays, on the other hand, often come with the looming anxiety of the week ahead—a phenomenon known as the “Sunday Scaries.”
Why We Feel Better In The Mornings
Another interesting finding from the UCL study is that our mood peaks in the morning and gradually declines toward midnight. So, if you’ve ever wondered why your best ideas come at sunrise and your existential crises happen at 2 AM, blame your circadian rhythm.
This pattern is linked to our body’s natural clock, which regulates emotions and energy levels. Dr Bu notes, “People generally wake up in the morning feeling their best, with mental health declining as the day progresses.”
This suggests that scheduling mentally taxing tasks earlier in the day could lead to better productivity and mood stability.
But here’s the twist—weekends disrupt this rhythm. Sleeping in, binge-watching TV late at night, or staying up scrolling through Instagram messes with our internal clock, making us feel groggier and less motivated, which in turn impacts our happiness levels.
Why Summer Feels Better Than Winter
The study also found that seasonal changes play a huge role in our mood. Not surprisingly, people reported lower levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness in summer compared to winter. The culprit? Sunlight—or the lack of it.
This ties into the well-documented Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), where shorter daylight hours in winter lead to a drop in serotonin levels, making people feel sluggish and low. In contrast, longer, sunnier days contribute to a more positive mood. If you’ve ever felt an unexplained wave of happiness just by stepping out into the sun, now you know why!
The takeaway? If weekends make you feel low, try getting some sun, sticking to a sleep schedule, and adding a little structure to your free time to mimic the benefits of a workday routine.
What Does Statistics Say?
The so-called “Sunday Scaries”, driven by the anticipation of the upcoming workweek, could explain this paradox. The connection between work routines and happiness in India presents a more complex picture. A 2018 survey by Kronos Incorporated found that 69% of Indian employees preferred a five-day workweek, even if they had the option to work fewer days for the same pay. This suggests that many Indians find comfort in structured routines.
However, a recent study by ADP Research Institute revealed that 70% of Indian employees reported being unhappy at work, with 54% considering quitting their jobs.
This contradiction implies that while structure may provide stability and purpose, job satisfaction, workplace conditions, and work-life balance play a bigger role in determining overall happiness. Thus, while a structured workweek may elevate mood, deeper systemic factors influence long-term well-being.
Also Read: Watch: Workdays And Weekends Around The World
What About This Trend In India?
Does this trend hold true in India, where weekends are often filled with bustling social life and family commitments? Indian happiness expert Dr Rajesh K. Pillania suggests that happiness in India is deeply connected to work-life balance, social relationships, and cultural traditions.
Interestingly, the Delhi government’s “Happiness Curriculum” in schools emphasises mindfulness and emotional intelligence to help students maintain mental well-being throughout the week. In workplaces, Indian companies are also experimenting with flexible work models to balance structured routines with personal time, potentially reducing weekend blues.
So, while the UCL study reflects global trends, in India, the quality of social interactions—rather than the day of the week—might play a bigger role in determining happiness levels.
Should We Rethink The Workweek?
Given this research, is it time to rethink how we structure our weeks? Several countries have experimented with the four-day workweek, and the results have been promising. A large pilot study in the U.K. found that reducing workdays improved employee well-being, productivity, and work-life balance.
While India is yet to widely adopt a four-day workweek, flexible working arrangements could be a step in the right direction. Companies could consider allowing employees to structure their work hours in a way that mimics the predictability of weekdays while incorporating enough personal time to avoid the weekend slump.
The Key To Everyday Happiness
So, what’s the takeaway? We’re not necessarily miserable on weekends, but unstructured time can sometimes make us feel lost. Structure, social interaction, and a sense of purpose play a big role in happiness—even if that means waking up to a Monday morning alarm.
If you often find yourself feeling low on Sundays or dragging through weekends, try adding a bit of routine, getting enough sunlight, and maintaining a healthy sleep schedule. After all, happiness isn’t just about having more free time—it’s about using that time in ways that fulfil you. Maybe, just maybe, Mondays aren’t so bad after all.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Economic Times, Times of India, Firstpost
Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi
This post is tagged under: Workweek Happiness, Weekend Blues, Monday Motivation, Science Of Happiness, Mental Health Matters, Work Life Balance, Happiness Research, Sunday Scaries, Four Day Work Week, Routine Matters, Circadian Rhythm, Indian Work Culture, Mindful Living, Employee Wellbeing, Weekend Mood, Self Care Tips
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