Many UK workers are putting their health at risk by not taking the holiday they are entitled to, a psychiatrist has warned.

Dr Graham Lucas said holidays were a great way to beat workplace stress.

However, he warned the wrong location or activity could do more harm than good.

A good holiday is hugely beneficial, but people don't want to be seen as a wimp in the present work culture

Dr Graham Lucas

He urged holidaymakers to ensure their vacations are in tune with their personality.

He advised people who hate change to stay at home or to go to the same place every year.

Similarly, those who like excitement should try something different each time they go away.

Counter-productive

Dr Lucas, a psychiatrist at the Priory Hospital Sturt, said the wrong type of holiday can actually increase stress levels rather than reduce them.

He said that couples who spend a large part of each day apart should carefully consider whether they want to spend an entire holiday together.

Similarly, he suggested women with new babies should give careful thought to whether they want to travel far from home to a place with strange shops and no babysitter.

Dr Lucas, speaking at the Annual Forum for GPs at the Royal Society of Medicine on Tuesday, acknowledged that for most people a holiday is the perfect antidote to stress.

However, he said employers could do more to ensure workers take their full holiday entitlement.

"A good holiday is hugely beneficial, but people don't want to be seen as a wimp in the present work culture," he said.

Backlog

In addition, he said companies should do more to ensure employees do not have to work especially hard to be in a position to take time off.

Nor should the face a backlog of work on their return, he said.

Dr Lucas said there was anecdotal evidence to suggest that employees who do not take their full holiday entitlement were more likely to take time off sick.

He also urged companies to address the macho culture in the workplace.

He said many people refused to take time off even when they were sick because of fears they would be classed a wimp.

Dr Lucas added that many people with severe anxiety and depression or drink problems sacrifice annual leave to deal with their condition rather than take sick leave and face being stigmatised.