Overview
- Analysis of hair samples from over 3,500 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing showed those reporting anxiety on Mondays had 23% more cortisol than peers anxious on other days.
- The ‘Anxious Monday’ effect was consistent in both working and retired individuals, indicating it stems from cultural stress patterns rather than job demands.
- Scientists pinpointed disruption of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis as the mechanism driving sustained hormone elevation after Monday stress.
- Long-term cortisol spikes are linked to weakened immunity, hypertension, heart disease and metabolic disorders.
- Experts recommend that hospitals plan for increased Monday cardiovascular events and that individuals use weekly stress inventories to manage anxiety.