Brits are in the throes of a stress "epidemic" due to pressure at work, financial worries and health concerns, a new report has warned.
Four out of five adults felt stressed during a typical week, while almost one in 10 were stressed all the time, a survey of 4,000 adults by insurance firm Axa found.
London was said to be one of the most stressed cities in the UK.
An 'always on' culture that sees most people taking calls or checking emails in the evenings and at weekends was linked to workplace stress.
More than two out of three were worried about their salary prospects, while almost as many were concerned about paying household bills.
Men were more likely than women to be stressed about work, the study also revealed.
Many of those questioned said they watch TV, listen to music, read a book, exercise or drink alcohol to help combat stress.
Dr Mark Winwood, director of psychological services at Axa, said the findings revealed the extent of the issue of stress in Britain.
He said: "These findings illustrate the worrying scale of the UK's stress epidemic, occurring both in the workplace and at home, impacting people up and down the country.
"As well as work and finances, health seems to be a concern for a large number of Brits. People are not only worried about their own well-being but also the general health of their loved ones.
"It is encouraging to see a third of people exercising as a way to combat their stress, which is obviously a much healthier way of unwinding than smoking or drinking. Physical activity is proven to have a positive impact on mental health, even if it is just a walk around the block instead of a trip to the gym."
Cardiff was said to be the most stressed city, followed by Belfast, Sheffield, London and Leeds, while people were least stressed in Brighton, Newcastle, Liverpool, Cambridge, Birmingham and Leicester, the report added.
Read More
MORE ABOUT