Stressed workers pull a sickie

A combination of post Christmas blues, the miserable weather and growing economic gloom will prompt more people to call in sick than any other day of the year, a survey from Friends Provident revealed.

Some 30,000 staff missed work this time last year and the figure is set to soar this year.

The Britain Under Pressure report found that, compared to three years ago, nearly two thirds of the nation feel more prone to illness, more stressed, and less fit and healthy.

Recession concerns mean that one in five people are sleeping less while more than a third are worrying more.

The authors of the report warn this could potentially trigger anything from headaches to clinical depression, or a range of stress-related illnesses. They said that National Sickie Day could become a much more serious and long-term problem in years to come, as Britons anticipate their unhealthy habits will get worse.

The research found that 18-30-year-olds had the most unhealthy habits; with 51% regularly eating take away meals, 36% frequently buying ready meals and 35% drinking more than they should.

Mark Jones, head of protection at Friends Provident, said: "Our research shows that the UK's health is being affected by the credit crunch. As Britons feel increasingly unwell and stressed, action is needed.

"People need to make more effort to protect and care for themselves, otherwise National Sickie Day could be the start of a long-term national health issue."

The report showed that addressing unhealthy lifestyles is low on the list of priorities for many Britons. Almost half the nation never or hardly ever exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, five days a week, while 33% rarely or never eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. And only one in five acknowledge that they do all they can to look after their body and health.