Can the Monday Blues Lead to Chronic Stress? Study Says Yes - Video

A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders reveals that anxiety felt on Mondays can have long-lasting effects on the body's stress response system, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The research, led by Professor Tarani Chandola from the Department of Sociology at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), uncovers how Mondays uniquely drive long-term biological stress regardless of whether a person is still working or retired.

The study analyzed data from more than 3,500 older adults who participated in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Researchers examined anxiety levels reported on different days of the week and measured cortisol levels using hair samples, which provide a cumulative record of the body’s exposure to stress hormones over two months. They found that participants who reported feeling anxious on Mondays had 23% higher cortisol levels than those who felt anxious on other days.

“Mondays act as a cultural ‘stress amplifier,’” said Professor Chandola. “For some older adults, the week's transition triggers a biological cascade that lingers for months. This isn't about work—it’s about how deeply ingrained Mondays are in our stress physiology, even after careers end.”

The study also found that only 25% of the Monday effect could be explained by higher reported anxiety levels on Mondays. The remaining 75% was due to the stronger biological impact of feeling anxious on that specific day.

The research highlights the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates cortisol. Chronic dysregulation of this system is associated with health problems like hypertension, insulin resistance, and immune dysfunction. Given that Mondays are already linked to a 19% spike in heart attacks, this study may help explain the physiological underpinnings of that trend.

Reference: Tarani Chandola, Wanying Ling, Patrick Rouxel. Are anxious Mondays associated with HPA-axis dysregulation? A longitudinal study of older adults in England. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2025; 389: 119611 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.119611