The Hidden Toll of Email
How it affects your breath and your health…
I remember the days of opening my inbox and being greeted by dozens of unread messages. There were issues to be resolved and replies that needed to be sent. I used my inbox as a to-do list most days.
What I didn’t know is that I was holding my breath from the stress of it and I was holding my breath as I focused, scrolled, and read.
This is a phenomenon known as email apnea and it’s gone viral on TikTok lately. Christina Gibson, MD, a family doctor, trauma therapist, and ayurvedic counselor says “Apnea is a temporary pause to breathing that can happen involuntarily while you sleep. But it can happen unknowingly throughout the day, like when we’re anxious, focused or overworked”.
A study done in 2023 revealed that 80% of people hold their breath or change their breathing patterns while looking at emails. This is because emails are particularly stress-inducing, but it can also happen while looking at social media or texts.
While email apnea can happen in the moment, the habit can also create a vicious cycle causing more tension and fatigue in the long run.
The next time you’re checking email, pay attention to your breath — you might notice you’ve been holding it for a long time, even hours. Some of us…
