Email Checking Frequency and Stress

Check Less, Reduce Stress, be more productive!

A study found that reducing Email checking frequency results in lower levels of stress and processing Email in less time!

A best practice in Email Management is to reduce Email checking frequency in order to have longer and more focused Email triage sessions.

And Email Overload also plays a significant role in Information Overload and has a negative impact on cognitive processing and productivity.

But did you know that Email checking frequency also is a cause of personal stress?

I recently came across a study that looked specifically at Email checking frequency and its impact on Stress. Although the study is a few years old, the findings are still very relevant and support what we know about Email processing and Information Overload.

The study, “Checking email less frequently reduces stress”, was conducted by Elizabeth Dunn and Kostadin Kushlev at the University of British Columbia.

The study included 124 adults, including students, professors, and technology, financial and medical professionals. For the study, half of the participants were instructed to limit Email checking to only three times a day for a week, whereas others were told they could check Email as often as they wished.

Then, in the following week, the study participants were asked to reverse their behaviors, with those that had been restricted to checking Email 3 times a day now allowed unrestricted Email checking, and the unrestricted group now restricted to only three times a day.

Over the course of the study, all the participants had to complete a daily survey that collected information about their Email processing activities, moods, and questions that gauge their personal stress levels.

Here are the highlights of the study findings:

There was a significant reduction in stress levels when the participants checked their Email less frequently compared to unrestricted checking.
The reduction in stress was as large a benefit as people get from performing formal relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises and visualizing peaceful imagery.
Although the participants sent and received roughly the same number of Emails during both weeks of the study, they reported that they were able to do so in approximately 20 percent less time during the week when they restricted their Email processing to just 3 times a day.

Although many prior studies have found that Email processing is a contributor to Information Overload, which can result in productivity issues and stress, this study highlights the role specifically that Email Checking frequency has with respect to stress.

These findings also support prior studies that found constant Email processing actually reduces Email processing efficiency due to task switching delays and the inability of individuals to multi-task.

Recent surveys have found most people are checking their Emails almost continually during the day, and many are also checking Emails late at night, on weekends, and even on holidays.

While reducing Email checking to a few times a day may not be possible for everyone, the reality is that most people are checking their Email much more often that is truly needed.

So, try to look for ways to reduce the frequency with which you check your Email. You will be more productive by processing the same Email in less time. And you will also reduce your stress levels, which will improve your personal health and happiness.