A survey conducted by a nutritional supplement company found that 71% were most likely to take a sicky in January. I doubt any of us are surprised by that revelation.

January is traditionally the most depressing month of the year; at least two more months of being cold and miserable. Gone are the nightly parties and good cheer and we are left with weakened immune systems/credit cards to add to our SAD.

January is not the only month to inspire the odd sicky. The unpredicted warm day/football tournament/random hangover (delete as appropriate) have long been traditional reasons for an unplanned day off.

There are quite a few reasons for working days to be lost at the moment. Maybe you have been trapped by the great billows of early snow, or the treacherous ice sheets left behind. Maybe you are one of the unlucky people succumbing to the Norovirus or an annoying little cold.

Someone very wise once told me that it was a complete waste to have a day off when you actually felt sick and that you should save them for when you really couldn’t face the world.

We think that sick days have a very necessary place in our busy and stressful ‘modern’ lives. We spend most of our time rushing about, not getting enough sleep and probably not eating very well. So when a bad cold or the need to have a duvet day rears its head, it is our duty to make sure we slow down for a few hours at least.

Being stressed affects your mind and body; people suffering from stress are much more likely to become unwell so it makes sense to stop when your body tells you to.

So when January rolls around after the hectic mess of Christmas will you be among those putting on your best sick voice to call the boss?

You never know, the predicted arrival of more snow might provide a timely excuse for some quality duvet time.