A bad week flattens me for days while my colleague bounces back

Your body clears stress hormones at a genetically set speed, and the COMT and FKBP5 genes mean some people recover in hours while others take days.

Why it happens

COMT helps break down adrenaline and dopamine. A slower variant means stress chemistry lingers in your system. The same deadline that energises a fast-clearing colleague can keep you wired and depleted into the weekend. If you are a slow clearer, you do not need to toughen up, you need a longer recovery runway.

One thing to try

After your next hard day, block 30 minutes of genuinely low-stimulation time, a walk without your phone. Treat recovery as part of the work.

Each decode is a research-backed tendency, not a diagnosis. A tap tells you how your body is likely wired and what to try, it does not label you, and nothing here is a substitute for a doctor where a medical question is involved.