Is the office making you ill? Stress, junk food and annoying colleagues drive unhealthy lifestyle habits One in two workers don't leave the office all day 27 per cent snack on unhealthy foods at least once a day A quarter said colleagues made their lives miserable Most of us feel a little queasy when confronted with a tight deadline or the boss from hell but no one really thinks that time in the office is bad for you. That, however, could be about to change if new research is to be believed. From soaring stress levels to poor eating habits and office bullies, time spent at work really can have a negative impact on health. According to the survey, 28 per cent of workers say that an unpleasant working environment is having a serious detrimental effect on their wellbeing, while another 25 per cent said stress was making their life a misery. Unhealthy: Stress, nasty colleagues and a miserable working environment all make the office bad for you Bad choices: Most of us drink at least three cups of tea a day, while 27 per cent regularly eat junk food Another common complaint was the presence of irksome or bullying colleagues, who make working life difficult on a regular basis. As a result, many workers are developing unhealthy habits such as snacking on junk food and failing to drink enough water. The study discovered that one in four people snack on biscuits and chocolate bars at least once a day and drink an average of three cups of tea or coffee a day. Researchers for healthy snack company, Dole Live Right, also found that 50 per cent of workers never leave the office for a breath of fresh air and a walk - even at lunchtime. Pressure to hit deadlines and to be seen working hard meant that 41 per cent don't even go to the toilet when they really need it, while another 47 per cent claim there have been occasions when they haven't gotten a drink when they are thirsty, simply because they can't be bothered. TV nutritionist and author Amanda Hamilton said: 'We have the best intentions to save time by eating at our desks so we can focus on our work, but the foods that we snack on, along with the other bad habits are actually causing people to be less productive which can mean that simple tasks are taking longer than they should. 'It's important to do small things to keep your brain - and ideally your body - active. Eating healthier snacks is a simple step that pays dividends. Fruit or nut based snacks are ideal for balancing protein and carbohydrate and ensuring consumption of hard-to-get nutrients such as selenium and zinc. Getting fresh air and drinking plenty of water are well-known ways to support productivity that are often forgotten in a stressful day. Stressful: Bad colleagues such as The Office's awful David Brent contribute to the adoption of unhealthy habits Try to sip water throughout the day. Staying hydrated helps you concentrate and can even help keep wrinkles at bay! Keep a bottle of water close at hand to remind you. The mind works best with good fuel and regular breaks. Try to take a brisk walk for five or ten minutes every few hours. Make the most of your lunch hour. Short bursts of high intensity exercise are great for burning calories and getting lean. Coffee and tea are fine in moderation but be careful not to become dependent. Two-three cups per day is a healthy limit for most people; ideally stop consuming caffeine after four o'clock so you can wind down properly in the evening. Keep healthy snacks in your desk drawer or handbag for mid-morning or mid-afternoon munchies! Being prepared can dramatically cut down on your intake of calories, sugar and unhealthy fats; all typical of takeaway or vending machine options. Keep food real! If you can't pronounce what it says on the label you probably shouldn't be eating it. If you eat foods containing real ingredients you'll feel fuller for longer too.