‘Sunday scaries' is real health threat ‘increasing your risk of heart attack', experts warn
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
CALL it "Sunday scaries" or "Monday blues", dreading the start of a new week can trigger long-term stress and take a toll on your heart health, scientists warn.
The anxiety isn't just workplace related - retirees also displayed signs of heightened stress on Mondays after they'd stopped working.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
1
Feeling stressed on Mondays doesn't stop when you retire, researchers found
Credit: Getty
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong dubbed this the "Anxious Monday" effect.
It suggests dysregulation of the body's stress management system - which is known to drive heart disease - is linked to the start of the week, regardless of work status, researchers said.
Previous research has shown a 19 per cent increase in heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths on Mondays, the study authors also pointed out.
They believe spikes in Monday heart attacks were unlikely to be random.
Lead author Professor Tarani Chandola from the department of sociology, faculty of social sciences at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), said: 'Mondays act as a cultural 'stress amplifier'.
'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."
Feelings of stress and anxiety are linked to cardiovascular disease through a key biological mechanism called hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation.
The HPA axis is the body's main way of responding to stress and results in the release of cortisol - known as the stress hormone - in the body.
HPA axis dysregulation is characterised by excessive levels of cortisol production, which has previously been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and death, researchers explained.
Feeling stressed Watch our 4-minute at-home yoga workout scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and tension
It's also known to contribute to hypertension, insulin resistance, and immune dysfunction.
The study team set out to examine whether "HPA-axis dysregulation is greater on Mondays than on other days, and whether this association is greater for working compared to non-working adults", they wrote in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
They assessed data from over 3,500 older adults taking part in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, including hair samples that showed cortisol levels in participants' bodies.
People who reported feeling more anxious on Mondays had 23 per cent higher cortisol levels in their hair samples than those who felt anxious on other days.
This was also seen among retirees, challenging assumptions that workplace stress alone explains "Monday blues".
When stress is something to worry about
For many of us, stress can be a part of our daily life - to the point that we don't pick up on red flags until it's too late.
Stress can affect you physically and mentally, as well as causing changes to your behaviour, the NHS notes.
You may experience some of the following signs when struggling with stress: Headaches or dizziness Muscle tension or pain Stomach problems Chest pain or a faster heartbeat Sexual problems Difficulty concentrating Struggling to make decisions Feeling overwhelmed Constantly worrying Being forgetful Being irritable and snappy Sleeping too much or too little Eating too much or too little Avoiding certain places or people Drinking or smoking more
If stress is taking a toll on your life, that's a sign to seek help for it.
Try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member or health professional.
You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to
If you need more support, you can get free talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on the NHS.
You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP.
Source: NHS
Researchers concluded: 'This study found strong evidence for an association between reporting anxiety on Mondays and HPA-axis dysregulation.
'The anxious Monday association with HPA-axis dysregulation measured subsequently was evident among both working and nonworking older adults, with no reduction in the association among those not at work."
The findings suggest social patterns - not just job demands - embed themselves in human physiology, with lasting health risks, researchers said.
Previous studies have pointed to higher stress hormone levels among people on weekdays versus weekends, but the latest research is the first to pinpoint Mondays as uniquely disruptive.
Researchers hope addressing Monday-specific stressors could pave the way for new strategies to combat heart disease.
"Hospitals and clinics need to plan for increased CVD events on Mondays," they also suggested.
"Most people should adapt to their feelings of Monday anxiety over their working life course.
"However, for some people, there is a lack of adaptation to Monday anxiety, and this does not appear to diminish when they stop working."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Sunday scaries' is real health threat ‘increasing your risk of heart attack', experts warn
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CALL it "Sunday scaries" or "Monday blues", dreading the start of a new week can trigger long-term stress and take a toll on your heart health, scientists warn. The anxiety isn't just workplace related - retirees also displayed signs of heightened stress on Mondays after they'd stopped working. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Feeling stressed on Mondays doesn't stop when you retire, researchers found Credit: Getty Researchers from the University of Hong Kong dubbed this the "Anxious Monday" effect. It suggests dysregulation of the body's stress management system - which is known to drive heart disease - is linked to the start of the week, regardless of work status, researchers said. Previous research has shown a 19 per cent increase in heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths on Mondays, the study authors also pointed out. They believe spikes in Monday heart attacks were unlikely to be random. Lead author Professor Tarani Chandola from the department of sociology, faculty of social sciences at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), said: 'Mondays act as a cultural 'stress amplifier'. '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." Feelings of stress and anxiety are linked to cardiovascular disease through a key biological mechanism called hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. The HPA axis is the body's main way of responding to stress and results in the release of cortisol - known as the stress hormone - in the body. HPA axis dysregulation is characterised by excessive levels of cortisol production, which has previously been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and death, researchers explained. Feeling stressed Watch our 4-minute at-home yoga workout scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and tension It's also known to contribute to hypertension, insulin resistance, and immune dysfunction. The study team set out to examine whether "HPA-axis dysregulation is greater on Mondays than on other days, and whether this association is greater for working compared to non-working adults", they wrote in the Journal of Affective Disorders. They assessed data from over 3,500 older adults taking part in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, including hair samples that showed cortisol levels in participants' bodies. People who reported feeling more anxious on Mondays had 23 per cent higher cortisol levels in their hair samples than those who felt anxious on other days. This was also seen among retirees, challenging assumptions that workplace stress alone explains "Monday blues". When stress is something to worry about For many of us, stress can be a part of our daily life - to the point that we don't pick up on red flags until it's too late. Stress can affect you physically and mentally, as well as causing changes to your behaviour, the NHS notes. You may experience some of the following signs when struggling with stress: Headaches or dizziness Muscle tension or pain Stomach problems Chest pain or a faster heartbeat Sexual problems Difficulty concentrating Struggling to make decisions Feeling overwhelmed Constantly worrying Being forgetful Being irritable and snappy Sleeping too much or too little Eating too much or too little Avoiding certain places or people Drinking or smoking more If stress is taking a toll on your life, that's a sign to seek help for it. Try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member or health professional. You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@ if you need someone to talk to If you need more support, you can get free talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on the NHS. You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP. Source: NHS Researchers concluded: 'This study found strong evidence for an association between reporting anxiety on Mondays and HPA-axis dysregulation. 'The anxious Monday association with HPA-axis dysregulation measured subsequently was evident among both working and nonworking older adults, with no reduction in the association among those not at work." The findings suggest social patterns - not just job demands - embed themselves in human physiology, with lasting health risks, researchers said. Previous studies have pointed to higher stress hormone levels among people on weekdays versus weekends, but the latest research is the first to pinpoint Mondays as uniquely disruptive. Researchers hope addressing Monday-specific stressors could pave the way for new strategies to combat heart disease. "Hospitals and clinics need to plan for increased CVD events on Mondays," they also suggested. "Most people should adapt to their feelings of Monday anxiety over their working life course. "However, for some people, there is a lack of adaptation to Monday anxiety, and this does not appear to diminish when they stop working."
The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
‘Sunday scaries' is real health threat ‘increasing your risk of heart attack', experts warn
CALL it "Sunday scaries" or "Monday blues", dreading the start of a new week can trigger long-term stress and take a toll on your heart health, scientists warn. The anxiety isn't just workplace related - retirees also displayed signs of heightened stress on Mondays after they'd stopped working. Researchers from the University of Hong Kong dubbed this the "Anxious Monday" effect. It suggests dysregulation of the body's stress management system - which is known to drive heart disease - is linked to the start of the week, regardless of work status, researchers said. Previous research has shown a 19 per cent increase in heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths on Mondays, the study authors also pointed out. They believe spikes in Monday heart attacks were unlikely to be random. Lead author Professor Tarani Chandola from the department of sociology, faculty of social sciences at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), said: 'Mondays act as a cultural 'stress amplifier'. '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." Feelings of stress and anxiety are linked to cardiovascular disease through a key biological mechanism called hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. The HPA axis is the body's main way of responding to stress and results in the release of cortisol - known as the stress hormone - in the body. HPA axis dysregulation is characterised by excessive levels of cortisol production, which has previously been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and death, researchers explained. Feeling stressed Watch our 4-minute at-home yoga workout scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and tension It's also known to contribute to hypertension, insulin resistance, and immune dysfunction. The study team set out to examine whether "HPA-axis dysregulation is greater on Mondays than on other days, and whether this association is greater for working compared to non-working adults", they wrote in the Journal of Affective Disorders. They assessed data from over 3,500 older adults taking part in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, including hair samples that showed cortisol levels in participants' bodies. People who reported feeling more anxious on Mondays had 23 per cent higher cortisol levels in their hair samples than those who felt anxious on other days. This was also seen among retirees, challenging assumptions that workplace stress alone explains "Monday blues". For many of us, stress can be a part of our daily life - to the point that we don't pick up on red flags until it's too late. Stress can affect you physically and mentally, as well as causing changes to your behaviour, the NHS notes. You may experience some of the following signs when struggling with stress: Headaches or dizziness Muscle tension or pain Stomach problems Chest pain or a faster heartbeat Sexual problems Difficulty concentrating Struggling to make decisions Feeling overwhelmed Constantly worrying Being forgetful Being irritable and snappy Sleeping too much or too little Eating too much or too little Avoiding certain places or people Drinking or smoking more If stress is taking a toll on your life, that's a sign to seek help for it. Try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member or health professional. You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@ if you need someone to talk to If you need more support, you can get free talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on the NHS. You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP. Source: NHS Researchers concluded: 'This study found strong evidence for an association between reporting anxiety on Mondays and HPA-axis dysregulation. 'The anxious Monday association with HPA-axis dysregulation measured subsequently was evident among both working and nonworking older adults, with no reduction in the association among those not at work." The findings suggest social patterns - not just job demands - embed themselves in human physiology, with lasting health risks, researchers said. Previous studies have pointed to higher stress hormone levels among people on weekdays versus weekends, but the latest research is the first to pinpoint Mondays as uniquely disruptive. Researchers hope addressing Monday-specific stressors could pave the way for new strategies to combat heart disease. "Hospitals and clinics need to plan for increased CVD events on Mondays," they also suggested. "Most people should adapt to their feelings of Monday anxiety over their working life course. "However, for some people, there is a lack of adaptation to Monday anxiety, and this does not appear to diminish when they stop working."
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Child with measles dies at UK hospital as experts warn of the dangers of declining MMR vaccine rates
A CHILD has sadly died after getting measles - as experts warn of declining vaccine rates in the UK. The youngster is understood to have been ill with measles, had other health problems and was in the intensive care unit at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. 3 The jab provides 97 per cent protection against getting ill Credit: Getty 3 They are the second child to succumb to an acute measles infection in Britain this decade. Their age and sex are not known. Around 16 other children have been treated at the hospital - which is in the grip of an outbreak of the disease - after becoming severely unwell with measles. Infections are increasing in Britain as plummeting vaccine rates leave children vulnerable - with London seeing 233 cases in the first six months of this year, the highest in the country. The jab provides 97 per cent protection against getting ill. It is unclear if the child who died had received a vaccine. The MMR vaccine rate in Liverpool for children by the age of five is 73 per cent, the lowest outside of London. It is also lower than an 86 per cent average across the northwest and 84 per cent across the the whole of England. A major outbreak in Birmingham and London contributed to 2,911 measles cases in England last year. The main symptoms of measles MEASLES is highly contagious and can cause serious problems in some people. The infection usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth. The first signs include: A high temperature A runny or blocked nose Sneezing A cough Red, sore, watery eyes Small white spots may then appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips a few days later. A rash tends to come next. This usually starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body. The spots are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They are not normally itchy. The rash looks brown or red or white skin. It may be harder to see on darker skin. Complications are rare, but measles can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, seizures, and sometimes death. Source: NHS This is the highest number since 2012. There have been 529 confirmed cases in 2025 so far, and the majority were children under ten. In the past few months, several seriously ill children have been admitted to St Mary's hospital in Paddington, and one had to be treated in intensive care. Professor Matt Ashton, director of public health for Liverpool, said: 'I'm extremely worried that the potential is there for measles to really grab hold in our community. 'My concern is the unprotected population and it spreading like wildfire. "That's why we're trying to be proactive. It's really important that people understand the seriousness of this.' Alder Hey, the local NHS and public health teams in Liverpool and Merseyside, are co-ordinating a response to the increase in cases, trying to alert families to the risks and help parents get their children vaccinated. Measles is highly contagious, and a person remains infectious for up to ten days and can spread the virus to 15 people.
