And finally…most British workers not fully awake until 9.40am

Most Brits will be in work for a full 40 minutes before they feel able to function while the average worker claims their maximum efficiency kicks in around 11:22am, two thirds reckon they are much more productive in the afternoon.

Nine out of 10 people questioned in the Quaker Oats study of 2,000 employees admitted they operate on autopilot most mornings.

An overwhelming 96 per cent go through exactly the same routine every single day in preparation for work.

Getting out of bed, washing and dressing, and travelling to work are all done in a ‘zombie state’ as people struggle to wake properly for several hours.

Psychologist Linda Papadopoulos, who is supporting the Quaker Oats #SuperStart campaign, said: “The way our bodies and nervous system function allows us to be conscious of some things but let other things go into “auto-pilot”.

“One of the things the survey brought up was that 63 per cent of us wind up at work and can’t really remember how we got there.

“This is because of “habituation” - we’re so used to going through the motions of what we do every day that it’s not really something we think about. “

Seven in 10 adults admit much of their morning commute is a carried out while they are in a ‘zombie state’.

That means they travel the average 31 minute journey on complete autopilot.

Indeed, sixty three per cent of commuters admitted they’d often arrived at work to realise they had no recollection of the journey there.

When they do finally make it into work, six in 10 people still find it hard to communicate with anyone first thing in the morning.

In fact, most people don’t even feel able to utter a word until 8:40am - an hour and 20 minutes after they have left the house for work.

Two thirds of employees claim they’re not truly awake and ready to go until they’ve been at work for a while, and 54 per cent of people can be found sitting at their desks with a glazed expression on their face long after they’ve entered the office.

Four in 10 workers wake slowly by reading through their mountain of emails while a further fifth just about feel able to send a few easy emails.

Sixteen per cent count their early morning gossip with colleagues as part of their wake up routine, while one in 10 will have a good stretch at their desk.

Sadly for some employers, 45 per cent of workers admit there have been days where they have answered the phone at work only to feel completely unable to handle the call because they had not woken up properly yet.

And more than four in 10 people have often been in the situation where they’ve realised someone is talking to them, but they have literally no idea what the conversation is about as they were still very much in their own world.

A Quaker Oats spokesman said: “With 71 per cent of the nation spending the commute in a zombie state, we know getting off to the best start during the wintery mornings can be a struggle.

“While different routines work for different people, a nutritious breakfast will help everyone start the day well.

“Quaker Oats So Simple is packed with goodness, allowing you to do more of what matters to you, or to your boss!”

Following the findings, acclaimed ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell has joined forces with Quaker Oats to get Britain off to a super start.

She said: “Feeling fully awake can be particularly tough on cold, wintery mornings.

“I believe in getting active and off to a good start by making time for a nutritious breakfast, which is why I am supporting the Quaker Super Start campaign.

“As a dancer, my whole life has been about balance. Now I weigh up work and home, being active and taking easy steps to enjoy a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

“I find the best way to get off to a good start and keep that goodness going, whatever I’m doing during the day, is a bowl of tasty Quaker porridge oats - particularly warming at this time of year.