Overstuffed with holiday sweets? Christmas lists growing by the second? End-of-year work deadlines looming large? A U.K. survey suggests Monday, Dec. 10, is the most stressful day of the year. 

The survey, commissioned by the Manchester-based health-care provider HealthSure, involved 500 people between the ages of 18 and 70 in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who were asked about their stress levels in relation to their occupations.

A U.K. survey says Monday, Dec. 10, ranks as the most stressful day of the year because of work and holiday pressures.
(Canadian Press)

HealthSure spokesman James Glover said the results showed many people have a difficult time balancing work pressures with holiday expectations. Stress levels were set to peak between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., according to the survey.

"It is all too easy to burn the candle at both ends during the festive season," Glover said in a release.

"In addition to the expected office parties and social engagements, workloads increase with many of us covering for colleagues that are off sick or using up their last few days holidays."

Symptoms of stress include irritability, changes in sleep patterns, negative thinking and feelings of sadness and guilt. Health Canada warns stress is a risk factor for heart disease, some types of bowel disease, herpes and mental illness.

Glover said the tendency to overindulge in sweet holiday treats, alcohol and caffeine also take a physical toll. He urges holiday revellers to take a step back and seek perspective.

The projection is similar to a separate formula introduced in 2005 that suggested Jan. 24 is the worst day of the year. Cliff Arnalls, a university tutor in Wales, developed a formula that factored in weather, debt, time passed since Christmas, failed resolutions and lack of motivation to calculate which day would be most grim.