Many of us are afraid to take a two-week holiday due to stigma, according to a new report.
Research by British Airways finds "Brits are a nation of holiday commitment-phobes," revealing that 69% of UK workers did not take a two-week holiday in 2017.
Their survey of British workers found we put off taking holiday because we're too busy at work (49%), or even because we feel guilty about using up all of our holiday allowance each year (16%).
The new research is backed by a report released in November 2017, which revealed a third of UK employees had 10 days of annual leave left over to use by the end of last year.
Over a third (38%) of those surveyed by the airline said they believe two-week holidays are "frowned on, or discouraged" at their place of work.
As many as 33% of those surveyed were unable to get the time off work for a longer break.
Last year, workers based in the UK took an average of two holidays abroad, compared to those in Japan and India who took eight and seven respectively. Survey respondents based in France, Germany and Italy went on an average of three holidays abroad in 2017.
Meanwhile, those of us who do make use of our annual leave often find it difficult to switch off and enjoy our time away. More than half of holidaymakers (56%) said they spent a lot of their holiday thinking about work, and a fifth (20%) dreaded returning to work after being away.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be difficult, but it is essential for our overall health and relationships - and even makes us more productive. So, if you're yet to finalise your New Year's resolutions for 2018 - making a commitment to allow yourself time away from the office could be one for the list.