Do You Suffer From “Email Apnea”?

Wise Brothers—Chattanooga, TN

Do You Suffer From “Email Apnea”?

Do you ever catch yourself holding your breath while reading an email?  It’s called “email apnea” . . . and whether you know it or not, it could be adding stress to your day.

Mental health experts say a lot of people unconsciously stop breathing or take very shallow breaths while reading emails.  It can even happen while texting, or scrolling, too.  (It’s also known as “screen apnea”.)

It usually happens when we’re concentrating or feeling pressure to respond.  And this causes our bodies to interpret an incoming email almost like a threat . . . which makes us tense up and hold our breath without realizing it.

The problem is that shallow breathing can keep the body in “fight or flight” mode, which raises our heart rate and increases stress and anxiety.  This can lead to headaches, muscle tension, jaw clenching, and fatigue.

But there’s something you can do to fight it off.  Before opening that next email, take a slow breath out, and relax your shoulders.  Paying attention to your breathing can make a big difference.

Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

Courtesy of Huff Post