How to spend your 132 days' holiday

A new book offering advice on how best to take advantage of the 132 non-work days most Britons have every year has been launched today by Lonely Planet.

Launched on what has been found to be the most depressing day of the year - January 22nd - the book is a guide on how to get the most out of the 52 weekends, eight bank holidays and 20 days of statutory annual paid leave working Britons are entitled to per year.

"Due to the combination of lousy weather, post-Christmas debt, the return of work-related stress and failed new year resolutions, Britons flock to online travel booking sites and travel agencies in a bid to escape," says the book's author Frances Linzee Gordon.

"We're encouraging Britons to think more creatively about what they want to do with their free time for the whole year."

A recent survey by the travel publishers finds only one worker in five uses all their statutory annual leave and a quarter have over a week of holiday left at the end of the year.

Additionally, 40 per cent of working Brits believed they had just 27 non-working days available, compared with the 132-day reality.

However, 38 per cent of British workers also revealed they were happiest when travelling with 54 per cent saying taking their annual leave made them feel happier.

More than half of all workers (61 per cent) also say they want to do more with their time off and 64 per cent add they are more productive at work after they take their paid holiday.

132: Seize the Days ideas to help beat the January blues

Assess how you spend your time: are you a workaholic or carefree hedonist? Lonely Planet have a quiz to help you work it out www.lonelyplanet.com/132days

You can ski or snowboard all year round at over 70 dry slopes and snow domes across the country without even leaving the UK.

Lose yourself in rhythm at the Winter Music Conference, held annually in March in Miami, considered the biggest and best dance music event on the planet.

Hike a section of southern Turkey’s spectacular 500km-long Lycian Way, which runs from Fethiye to Antalya. The route takes in a whole host of gorgeous sea views, ruined Lycian cities, expansive beaches and stunning valleys.

Rent a four-wheel-drive and head off to Western Australia's Kimberleys, where you can bump and grind the 600km-long Gibb River Road, a dirt track that takes you past waterfalls, through gorges and along steep escarpments.

Get intimate with those most majestic of creatures with several weeks volunteering at an elephant sanctuary. There is Kegalle in Sri Lanka, Mwaluganje in Kenya, or Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary in Arkansas, which offers month-long internships and courses in elephant management.