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Brits take an average of FOUR days to get 'back in the saddle' after the holiday period, according to a survey.
A study of 2,000 adults shows the majority of us won’t start functioning properly until almost a full working week has passed.
Re-adjusting to early mornings, the mountain of work which has piled up over the festive break and having to deal with challenging clients all take their toll in early January.
Others find it hard to get in the mood for exercise, knowing when they do go to the gym it will be packed with people on a New Year fitness kick.
The study, commissioned by working animal charity SPANA, found for one in six Brits, the feeling of having nothing to look forward to also means they struggle to get back into their normal routine.
Geoffrey Dennis, chief executive of SPANA, which provides free veterinary treatment to working animals in developing countries around the world, said: “Going back to work after time off can be a shock to the system – especially after a sustained period of parties, lie-ins and relaxation.
“However, most of us are fortunate to be returning to jobs that we feel comfortable in, with decent colleagues and reasonable working conditions.
''As the holiday hangovers kick in, it’s important to keep some perspective and remember that our working lives could be unimaginably worse.''
The study found 44 per cent of adults reckon they suffer from the January blues, and 52 per cent said that during the early part of the month, they’ll only be be at work in body, but not 'in mind'.
Three in 10 workers said they’re fully expecting work to be awful in January because they know they can’t have any time off for a while, while a fifth said they’re likely to return to a big work load.
And a quarter are not looking forward to the likelihood that everyone else will be miserable about the return to work.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, more than a fifth of adults have considered calling in sick for the first few days back to work, while more than half are expecting to feel sad the evening before their first day.
Researchers also found almost half of those polled have no intentions of making any social arrangements in January.
When asked why, 12 per cent said they would be too grumpy, while a third say they’ll have no money.
A lack of cash also means Brits are unlikely to go shopping in the January sales, and won’t do anything of any interest until the first pay day of 2019.
The fact there are still months left of winter to go, feeling tired and sluggish and having to endure rubbish television are other major reasons adults find January a chore.
Brits also don’t like the fact social media is full of weight loss plans they can’t relate to, and everyone is doing dry January.
Dennis added: “It’s a very different story for working animals overseas.
''These animals have no holiday or retirement.
''Day-in, day-out, they work in punishing environments, carrying backbreaking loads, often without the rest, water and vital veterinary care they need.
“Working horses, donkeys, camels and other animals in developing countries often endure short, painful lives, in brutal conditions.
''This global workforce of 200 million animals must work every day to help their owners earn a small income and put food on the table.
''Without these hardworking animals, many of the world’s poorest communities would have nothing.
“These animals are unsung heroes, but they desperately need our help.
"That’s why SPANA’s work is important – ensuring that the welfare of working animals is improved and that they receive the veterinary treatment they urgently require when they are sick or injured.”
TOP 30 REASONS BRITS STRUGGLE TO GET BACK IN THE SADDLE
1. The weather is horrible
2. The days are still short and dark
3. There are still months left of winter to go
4. You feel tired and sluggish
5. January feels like the longest month of the year
6. The excitement of Christmas has passed
7. Re-adjusting to the boring routine of everyday life / the daily grind
8. Feels like ages before you will have any time off work again
9. You feel like there's nothing to look forward to
10. You find it hard to motivate yourself to do any exercise
11. You have eaten so much over Christmas you find it hard to stop
12. The TV is rubbish
13. You can't do anything of interest until January pay day
14. You've picked up an illness after Christmas
15. You can no longer blame 'the holidays' for eating/drinking too much
16. All the work you said you'll get back to after Christmas is too much
17. You can't be bothered to take the tree/decorations down
18. January sales means you want to spend more money - but then you realise Christmas has left you broke, so you're depressed again
19. You feel like you've socialised enough over the Christmas period to last a lifetime - hence seeing any more people is just effort
20. Clients and customers are a challenge to work with
21. The gym is packed with people on a new year fitness kick
22. Kids are also struggling to get back into routine
23. Everyone else seems to be back on it, but you aren't quite ready
24. Social media is full of weight loss plans and New Year's resolutions that you can't relate to
25. No point in going out - as everyone is doing dry January
26. Your house is full of Christmas presents - many of which are unwanted
27. You start to experience chocolate withdrawal symptoms
28. Kids are a nightmare because they've been spoiled over Christmas
29. Kids have got used to late nights and late mornings which means getting them ready for school is even harder
30. Having to face all the people you behaved badly in front of at the Christmas party
ENDS
