Which is why the medical profession is taking an interest in so-called 'circadian lighting' technology — which mimics the pattern of natural daily sunlight to 'reset' our internal body clocks (or circadian rhythms) and so improve sleep and.

The overall rise in long-term sickness comes at a time when NHS waiting lists have swollen to 7.3million, partly as a result of strikes by junior doctors, nurses and paramedics.