Today is the most stressful day of the year

A combination of the cold weather, economic gloom and end to Christmas festivities will leave workers battling the January blues.

It will leave people more likely to become irritated by the slightest things.

According to researchers the most common complaints are the sounds of colleagues eating noisily, which annoys nearly a quarter of people.

This is followed by sniffing, an irritant to 26 per cent and talking too loudly on the phone, which was cited by 21 per cent.

But rather than bottling up frustrations, experts are urging workers to rant and rave to relieve the tension.

Judi James, a psychologist and expert in communications and body language, said: "Releasing tension through shouting and screaming is a really beneficial way to expel the negative energies caused by stress.

"January can be one of the most stressful times of the year between sale shopping and recovering from the excesses of the party season, which can stimulate negative behaviours such as rising tension, stress levels and blood pressure.

"When this threatens to overwhelm you try a short sustained burst of shouting, or alternatively, go somewhere quiet, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to help calm you down."

The study of 2,000 adults was commissioned by the RNLI. The research from the RNLI Sound Or Silence Poll was released in the run up to SOS Day 2009 which takes place on 30th January 2009 to raise funds for the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea.