Experts Agree This Is Officially the Most Stressful Time of Day

Updated: Mar. 03, 2023

If you've experienced morning stressors, you won't be surprised when you learn this is the most stressful time of the day.

There never feels like enough time to get everything done at the start of the day, which is why morning stressors can be particularly anxiety-inducing. In our fast-paced society, it often feels like stress is persistent. However, if your anxiety intensifies at the start of the day due to morning stressors, you’re in good company. Experts now officially agree that the morning is the most stressful time of the day.

Let’s discuss when exactly is the most stressful time, plus some of the leading stressors people experience, so you can identify what’s causing your jitters.

What is the most stressful time of the day?

A London-based study revealed that in a poll of 2,000 adults, the most stressful time is 7:23 a.m. As you may have guessed, this is due to persistent morning stressors. However, there is some slight fluctuation in the most stressful time of the day, depending on gender. Women typically encounter their first obstacle of the day slightly earlier than men, at 7:50 a.m.. For men, the first stressful incident doesn’t begin until nearly an hour later, at 8:43 a.m. These morning dramas can even interfere with your ability to have a productive day.

What makes it the most stressful time of the day?

A lot needs to be done in the morning—and there’s not that much time to do it. Whether traffic on your commute into the office causes you anxiety or you’re worried about promptly getting your kids out the door for school, it’s understandable why 7:23 a.m. is the most stressful time of the day.

However, these aren’t the only morning stressors adults juggle as they attempt to start the day. Another persistent struggle that can make the morning the most stressful time of the day is clicking snooze too many times and waking up late. Additionally, more morning stressors include spilling something on clothing, accidentally breaking an object, burning food and difficulty finding a parking spot.

Once you figure out what type of stress you’re struggling with, you can begin taking steps to alleviate anxiety with these stress management tips. Then, you can reduce stress and say goodbye to your morning jitters once and for all.

Reader's Digest
Originally Published on Reader's Digest