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Researchers suggest that the quality of recovery that a person undergoes in the evening after a full day of work can significantly influence their mood and confidence when returning to work the next day. 

The study, based on diary entries from 124 employees over 887 days, revealed that individuals experiencing a higher-quality recovery in the evening exhibited elevated levels of wakefulness, calmness and pleasantness at the beginning of their workday. However, it was noted that the positive effects on wakefulness and calmness tended to diminish more rapidly during the workday following evenings with superior recovery. 

The research employed multiple models to analyze mood dimensions, including wakefulness-tiredness, calmness-tenseness and pleasantness-unpleasantness. The findings revealed that employees generally experienced a decline in wakefulness, an increase in calmness and no systematic trajectory for pleasantness during the workday. 

Scheduling tasks based on mood trajectories

Practical implications emerged from the research, emphasizing the need for organizations to consider the temporal aspects of employee well-being. Providing employees with autonomy to schedule tasks based on their mood trajectories could optimize productivity. For instance, tasks requiring concentration and energy might be better suited for times when employees experience higher levels of morning wakefulness or calmness.

The study also highlighted the importance of at-work recovery activities, suggesting that employees should engage in breaks even when starting the day with elevated mood states. Encouraging psychological detachment during off-job time was underscored as a means to enhance sleep quality, subsequently influencing a positive start-of-work mood.

Idleness and mental well-being

Psychologist Nigel Barber explains that the brain works best when a person takes a break. While hard work and productivity are valued in the modern workforce, the importance of idleness for the brain is often overlooked. 

The structured, scheduled life has permeated both work and leisure time. However, idleness has profound benefits for the brain, as it helps develop creativity and problem-solving skills. The infrastructure of idleness, including cafes and social spaces, facilitates creativity by providing a platform for the exchange of ideas. In essence, moments of idleness, whether solitary daydreaming or social interactions are essential for human achievement and creativity.