The National Trust is today urging Brits to reclaim their weekends after a new study revealed that we have become a nation of unofficial weekend workers.

A survey carried out by the Trust reveals that 45 per cent of us returned to work today feeling exhausted after a weekend spent largely indoors at home, catching up on work or in cars and indoor shopping centres.

Many workers will have spent the weekend worrying about work, with 57 per cent admitting to working at weekends or during days off once a month or more.

However, The National Trust hopes to urge more of us to take back our weekend and instead spend time relaxing with family and friends.

The survey also revealed that workers are so worried about missing an important call or email that 70 per cent would never leave home without their mobile phone or BlackBerry and one in 10 even takes a laptop on holiday.

The situation appears to be getting worse and although people know how to relax – with 43 per cent saying they would feel more refreshed after a weekend spent outdoors – one in four now feels under more pressure than ever before to work at the weekend.

Health psychologist, author and broadcaster, David Moxon, said: 'Spending time outdoors can be beneficial for both our physical and mental health. Physically, we know that sunlight can enhance mood by affecting the production of bodily chemicals such as melatonin and serotonin. Being outdoors even on a dull day can lift our spirits. Psychologically, it can distract us from the pressures of work and create a sense of mental space'in which we can becreative and re-think old ideas.'

'It can also give us the opportunity to actively slow down our physical pace of life - which can only be a good thing.'

The survey of 2,000 people across the UK also revealed that those in the South East are most concerned by not spending enough time outdoors while those in Northern Ireland are the hardest working with 51 per cent spending more than 10 hours in the office each day of the working week.

Those in the North East are the most likely to make it to work when they are sick, with 76 per cent struggling into the office and people in the East Midlands are the most likely to take a laptop on holiday to complete work tasks with 12 per cent taking their computer away.

The National Trust’s campaign is supported by Enjoy England which this summer is urging everyone to make the most of their free time by enjoying every minute and treating each and every weekend like a holiday.