Post-holiday stress is a common condition among UK workers

Recruitment site Monster reports 50% of staff say the minute they return from holiday it feels like they have never been away and a further 29% return to their pre-holiday stress levels within a few weeks of getting back from annual leave.

The survey of 1,848 employees also found 15% never get stressed at work.

Jenny Ungless, career coach at Monster, said: "It's sad that so many of us don't feel relaxed and rejuvenated after holidays - after all, we go away to have a break and come back refreshed. Being stressed again almost as soon as we're back isn't necessarily a bad reflection on our jobs - we do have to put in work to ensure that we get the best out of our time off, both mentally and physically."

So as 45 million UK employees get set to take a holiday this summer, Ungless offers the following advice to avoid the post-holiday blues:

"Get organised - do your holiday packing and preparations as early as possible. Rushing frantically to make the flight won't start your holiday on a relaxed note.

"Don't make your last day in the office stressful. Hand over your work projects a day early and ensure your colleagues are fully briefed on all work they need to take over - this minimises the need for them to disturb you on your holiday.

"Book a holiday that will help you to relax - don't book an all-inclusive spa break if extreme sports are your thing, and don't go hiking in Scotland if you crave a lazy beach in the sun.

"Give yourself time to relax when you get home from your travels. Take an extra day off work to unpack and ease yourself back into your routine.

"If the thought of nasty surprises awaiting you at the office is stopping you from enjoying your holiday, make that call to the office to put your mind at rest.

"In the weeks after returning from holiday, take time regularly to indulge your wellbeing; see a show, book a massage or do anything else that makes you happy."