Not Monday — It's Friday
Ask anyone which day feels worst, and most will say Monday. But two weeks of Body Feedback Scores from US contributors tell a different story: Friday is when the body hits its weekly low.
The Numbers
- Friday: 49.5 — the lowest average of the week
- Sunday: 53.1 — the highest
- Gap: 3.6 points between the worst and best day
This pattern held consistently across both weeks of the reporting period.
Why Friday, Not Monday?
Body Feedback Scores are based on Heart Rate Variability and resting heart rate — they reflect how your autonomic nervous system is actually doing, not how you feel mentally.
By Friday, five days of work, commutes, deadlines, and disrupted sleep accumulate into measurable physiological fatigue. Even though people feel excited about the weekend, their HRV tells a different story: the body hasn't recovered yet.
This is consistent with research on autonomic recovery — the nervous system needs actual rest, not just the anticipation of it.
The Sunday Rebound
By Sunday, scores jump back up. One to two days of reduced occupational stress is enough for a measurable recovery in parasympathetic activity. The weekend acts as a natural reset.
What This Means
If you notice feeling physically drained on Fridays despite being in a good mood — your data might agree. Prioritizing recovery-friendly activities on Friday evenings (sleep, low-intensity movement, reduced screen time) could help bridge the gap.
Based on 174 daily US contributors, Jan 25 – Feb 10, 2026. Read the full analysis in the Global Stress Report.