It’s official – we’re all ALWAYS ILL because people are too scared to take sick days off work

ill

by Emma Dodds |
Updated on

Research has found that over a quarter of working British adults will not take a day off when they're ill because they feel too guilty.

The study, undertaken on behalf of the British Lung Foundation, also found that over half of working adults in the UK think that the only reason they were struck down with a cold is because a co-worker brought the illness in instead of recuperating at work.

According to the research, poorly workers will soldier on through their illness into work for five days every year.

GALLERY: 7 top tips for healthy skin in winter by a skin expert

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Abigail James' top 7 tips for healthy skin in winter (slider)

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1. Say goodbye to unnecessary chemicals

"Some fragrances and colours are skin irritants and have no actual benefits for the skin - they simply look and smell nice. "According to the research almost two thirds of British women are concerned about the chemicals in their personal care products so my advice would be to avoid unnecessary chemical ingredients and look for shower gels and deodorants that are kinder to skin - such as the Sanex Zero% range which is formulated with 0% colourants, 0% soap and 0% parabens."

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2. Avoid low fat diets

"When it comes to holistic health, achieving a healthy balance is really important. Choose healthy fats for healthy cell function – this can be added into your diet through foods such as avocadoes, fish, nuts and seeds and plant oils such as flax and hemp. "Another tip is to ditch the processed margarines. If you're going to have butter then make it organic natural butter which has less synthetic ingredients."

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3. Try light exercise

"Getting up and moving daily will boost circulation, and getting your muscles moving will increase your levels of 'happy' hormones or endorphins and blood flow. This in turn will give your skin a lovely healthy glow. "It doesn't matter whether it's a light stroll or training at the gym, as long as you're moving your skin will feel the benefits."

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4. Get an early night

"Lack of sleep increases the visible appearance of ageing, such as dark circles caused by sluggish circulation."With that in mind say goodbye to your phone or tablet at least an hour before going to bed and try to get a good night's sleep – your skin will thank you for it."

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5. Reduce sugar intake

"A high intake of sugar can cause an inflammatory reaction within the skin resulting in a whole host of skin conditions, from acne and rosacea to premature ageing and dry skin. "A little treat every now and then won't hurt, but try to keep an eye on your sugar levels if you're looking to keep skin healthy."

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6. Curb the caffeine

"Too much coffee or caffeinated drinks can put extra stress on the liver and digestive system which impacts your body's natural detoxification process. "This build-up of toxins can have a negative effect on the health of your skin causing issues such as dry skin, redness and sensitivity."

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7. Skincare shouldn't stop at your face

"There can often be a temptation to focus on the health of the skin on our faces but we must remember that the whole body is covered in skin which is the largest organ of your body – so we need to make sure we are giving it the care it deserves."Our skin absorbs a percentage of the products we apply, so choose products that are gentle on skin with natural moisturisers."

But shockingly, 26% of people feel too guilty to take a day off sick to recover at home, leaving their co-workers to pick up their slack.

One in seven are worried that if they take a day off sick, they will appear weak to their boss.

Ooh er. Who are these scary bosses?!

WATCH: The British Lung Foundation reveal what workers REALLY think of getting ill

Unsurprisingly, January is the month we're most likely to get struck down with an illness, and seven in 10 people will catch the common cold every year.

Of the 2,000 people surveyed, 7% of people would think about visiting the hospital if they couldn't shift a cough or cold.

And three quarters of us would consider booking a GP appointment if they were still suffering a month on.

We're not sure we'd leave it THAT long!

**What are your tips for getting over a cold? Let us know over on **Facebook and Twitter.

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