While it might be tempting to live for the weekend and only take the odd day off to stay on top of things in the office, research has found that taking your annual leave can not only benefit your mental health but also your performance at work too.

A healthy work-life balance can help reduce stress, and time away from work can improve mental clarity and even boost productivity and focus when you return.

Last year, the number of workers taking sick leave reached a 10-year high in the UK, so it’s never been more important to use all of your annual leave to rest and recover.

Ideally, you should stagger your days of annual leave throughout the year: a 2020 study found that workers need time off every 43 days to avoid burnout and poor mental health.

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