Monday has long been known as the most hated day of the week, as it represents the abrupt transition from the rest of the weekend to the hard work routine.
Previous studies have linked this day to increased rates of stress, heart attacks, and even suicide, a phenomenon known as the "Monday effect".
But a new study by emergency room doctors in South Korea overturns the prevailing belief that the first day of the week is the most miserable, presenting the day after the public holiday as the "real miserable" day in the workplace.
Researchers analyzed health data from more than 200,000 adults to determine how frequently cardiac arrests (sudden cessation of heartbeat) occurred on the first day back at work after the end of vacation, compared to the rest of the week.
The astonishing result was that cases of cardiac arrest were significantly higher, specifically by an increase of 9%, on the day following the holiday compared to the rest of the weekdays.
The researchers published their findings in the journal JAMA Network Open, explaining that this phenomenon was most pronounced among the elderly, people with a history of heart disease, and after consecutive holidays lasting two days or more.
As for the reason for this extra strain on the heart on the day back to work, Dr. Matt Pearce, director of the cardiac intensive care unit at North Shore University Hospital, offers several possible explanations.
Pierce explains that the theories include changes in sleep patterns and disruption of the body's circadian rhythm when transitioning from weekend to work week, as well as the stress associated with this transition.
He also adds that people on vacation tend to change their diet and increase their consumption of salt and alcohol, all of which increase the strain on the heart.
Doctors believe that the stress of facing a new work week stimulates the adrenal glands to release large doses of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, leading to a rapid increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Simultaneously, increased alcohol consumption raises blood pressure and hardens the arteries, while disruption to the body's circadian rhythm elevates cortisol levels and makes the heart more susceptible to damage.
To avoid Sunday or Monday anxieties (depending on the holiday), Dr. Pierce recommends adopting healthy sleep habits with regular bedtimes and wake-up times, reducing alcohol consumption, and finding practical ways to reduce stress. He emphasizes that there are clear links between stress and both mental and physical health, adding that this was the most important lesson he learned from the study. Whenever he remembers this connection, he feels more motivated to take better care of himself and try to be as happy and stress-free as possible.
