Smoking, exercise and shopping are the main British workers combat stress, according to the latest Monster Meter poll.

It also found that 31% of us have found healthier alternatives to manage stress, such as exercising and meditation. A further 20% of workers polled found that retail therapy is a good way to deal with the issue, while 17% said they don't get stressed.

 “Feeling stressed in the workplace is more commonplace, and it's becoming increasingly important to minimise the source of the stress in the long-term” explains Alan Townsend, COO for Monster UK & Ireland, says: “We need to keep things in perspective by balancing activities to help manage stress better. Enjoy the challenges of your job, but don’t let it dominate your life.

“With so many Britons struggling to maintain a work-life balance, it’s no wonder that when stress arises we turn to quick-fix solutions.”