Todays snow will provide ideal cover if you had intended to throw a sickie, unless of course you are unlucky enough to live within walking distance of work.
Compared to three years ago - pre-credit crunch woes - nearly two thirds of the nation (61 per cent) feel more prone to illness, more stressed, and less fit and healthy today according to the Britain Under Pressure report. Credit crunch concerns mean that one in five (19 per cent) people are sleeping less while more than a third (37 per cent) are worrying more. This could potentially trigger anything from headaches to clinical depression, or a range of stress-related illnesses.
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, by leading protection provider Friends Provident, found that 18-30-year-olds are displaying the most unhealthy habits; with 51 per cent regularly getting take aways, 36 per cent frequently buying ready meals and 35 per cent 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 counteracting unhealthy lifestyles is low on the list of priorities for many Britons. Almost half the nation (49 per cent) never or hardly ever exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, five days a week, while 33 per cent rarely or never eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. And only one in five (20 per cent) acknowledge that they do all they can to look after their body and health.
