Older adults who experience anxiety on Mondays show significantly elevated long-term stress levels—regardless of whether they are still working—according to new research.
The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, is the first to identify Monday specifically as a driver of biological stress that can persist for weeks.
Analyzing data from more than 3,500 older adults in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), the study found that those who reported anxiety on Mondays had 23 percent higher cortisol levels in hair samples collected two months later as compared to peers who felt anxious on other days.
The findings point to a physiological link between the start of the week and the body’s stress response system, specifically the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Chronic dysregulation of the nervous system, marked by sustained elevated cortisol levels, is already known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and immune dysfunction.
“Mondays act as a cultural ‘stress amplifier,’” paper author and medical sociologist professor Tarani Chandola of the University of Hong Kong, said in a statement. “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 effect of an anxiety-charged Monday was not limited to people still in employment.
Older adults who were retired showed the same pattern, suggesting that societal rhythms—rather than job-specific demands—may embed themselves in the body’s stress mechanisms over time.
While prior research had documented higher cortisol levels on weekdays compared to weekends, this study is the first to isolate Monday as uniquely disruptive.
It also found that only 25 percent of the Monday effect was due to higher reported anxiety levels on that day. The remaining 75 percent stemmed from the disproportionate physiological impact of Monday anxiety compared to anxiety on other days.
The researchers propose that long-term exposure to a structured, weekly routine may condition the body to respond more strongly to anxiety at the start of the week.
Over time, this could explain why Mondays are consistently linked to higher rates of adverse health events—including a 19 percent increase in heart attacks.
By identifying a biological mechanism behind these risks, the study adds to growing evidence that the structure of the week itself can shape long-term health.
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Reference
Chandola, T., Ling, W., & Rouxel, P. (2025). Are anxious Mondays associated with HPA-axis dysregulation? A longitudinal study of older adults in England. Journal of Affective Disorders, 389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.119611
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