The top everyday causes of stress, according to a survey of 2000 adults, were not being able to sleep (46 per cent), losing keys (37 per cent) and being stuck in traffic when late (35 per cent).

The survey was conducted by insurance company Direct Line in conjunction with Goldsmiths University of London. Rounding out the list of most common frustrations were:

• Losing an important document (33 per cent)
• Having nowhere to park (32 per cent)
• Printer not working (31 per cent)
• Phone battery dying (31 per cent)
• Running out of toilet paper while on the toilet (30 per cent)
• Automated customer service lines (26 per cent)
• Forgetting your credit card while trying to pay for goods or services (25 per cent)

Australian psychologists who spoke to Fairfax Media were not aware of similar research but a psychological assessment tool developed in 1981 was designed with exactly this purpose in mind - to predict stress based on everyday hassles.

The Daily Hassles Scale contains a list of 117 smaller chores and irritants such as "having to wait in lines", "misplacing or losing things" and "concerns about the meaning of life".

Scientists who created the tool suggested it was a better predictor of stress than self-assessments of major life events.

Psychologist Bob Montgomery, an honorary fellow of the Australian Psychological Association, says the scale is useful in forecasting stress the next day.

"What it does is look at is how many of the ordinary day to day hassles you've had today. That's shown to be an excellent predictor of your health tomorrow," he says.

"It's a really good illustration of how it's the little things that can add up."

The Australian Psychological Society also conducts an annual survey of stress and wellbeing in Australia, which examines the big-ticket items stressing us out. With a little imagination, we can use it to take an educated guess at some of the everyday minutae that might afflict us like the British.

1. Paying bills

Personal finance was the leading cause of stress for Australians, named by 49 per cent of respondents. The issue was most prevalent among those under 45, but far less worrying for people 66 and above. Only 25 per cent of that age bracket identified financial stress as a problem.

2. Visiting your mother-in-law

"Family issues" was the second most common cause of stress for Australians (45 per cent). This was of similar concern for all age groups under 55, but dropped off as people entered older age groups. It was also significantly more worrying for women (52 per cent) than men (38 per cent).

3. Doctor's appointments

Personal health bothered 42 per cent of respondents, according to the wellbeing survey, which may include concerns around of sickness, tiredness or fatigue. The issue was worrisome across the board, and only a little more stressful for older respondents.

4. Feeling fat at the gym

"Issues with trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle" was the next most prevalent cause of stress (39 per cent) - and twice as concerning for those aged 18-25 (54 per cent) than those 66 and above (27 per cent).

5. Dad's pack-a-day habit

"Issues with the health of others close to you" was also a major instigator of stress, affecting 36 per cent of those surveyed. When the question was first asked in 2011, that number was 41 per cent. The issue impacts people of all age groups fairly equally, according to the survey.

6. The dodgy office printer

While it's more likely to be belligerent bosses, cranky colleagues or panic over promotions that keep people up or night, "issues in the workplace" were a concern for 32 per cent of Australians. Unsurprisingly, the issue was most concerning for those aged 26-35 as they accelerate their careers - 49 per cent of that group nominated their jobs as a source of stress.

7. Why is he taking so long to text back?

Relationship issues are a pressure point for 42 per cent of those aged 18-25 and 45 per cent of those aged 26-35. But matters of romance are far less stressful after that age, as people settle into long-term relationships (or perhaps resign themselves to permanent dissatisfaction?)

8. Why is my stock portfolio doing so badly?

The broader state of the economy was a cause of stress for many Australians, with the survey naming it an issue for 30 per cent of people. Those aged 46-55 were the most stressed by matters macroeconomic (33 per cent).9. Tony Abbott

9. Tony Abbott

"Issues regarding the current political climate" were a cause of tension for 29 per cent of Australians in 2014 - higher than the 23-25 per cent in previous years. Along with matters pertaining to the workplace, it was one of the few factors stressing men out more than women. Politics also became more stressful for people the older they became.

10. Friends who are always late

"Friendship issues" were stressful for 26 per cent of Australians – particularly for younger people. Half of those aged 18-25 were stressed out by their friends, compared to only 7 per cent of over 65s.