Frequently checking email is a bad habit, but it’s also incredibly common. Many people check their email several times every day or get a notification on their cellphone each time they receive a message. Checking your email at designated times can boost your productivity and make you less stressed out.
How Checking Your Email Too Much Can Create Problems
If you keep checking your inbox throughout the day, that interrupts your concentration and makes it harder to focus when you return to an important task. That can cause you to spend more time being busy, while getting less done.
Receiving a notification on your phone whenever you get an email can create an endless series of distractions. Each time you get a notification and feel compelled to look at your phone, it breaks your train of thought. That can make you less productive and more likely to make mistakes in your work.
Checking your email over and over can stress you out. If you’re hoping to get an email from someone or you’re worried about possible bad news, each time you open your inbox, you might feel a sense of anticipation or dread. You might feel stressed when you see an email, or when you don’t see one.
People often check their email to procrastinate. If you keep opening your inbox to avoid tackling a difficult or unpleasant task, you’ll only make things worse and raise your stress level.
Figure out How Often You Should Check Your Email and Stick to a Schedule
Your position within the company, the type of work you do, and how much you collaborate with others will determine how often it makes sense for you to check your email. If you have to meet tight deadlines or deal with shifting priorities, you might need to check your inbox more often than someone whose work is routine and predictable.
Designate specific times to check your email. It’s a good idea to check it in the morning (but not as soon as you wake up). First, go through your morning routine and get settled, either at work or in your home office. Checking your email relatively early will give you an opportunity to respond to questions or requests, set priorities, and plan out your day.
You should also check your email near the end of the workday. Give yourself enough time to answer questions, tie up loose ends, plan for the next day, and make phone calls or schedule meetings, if necessary.
If checking your work email is not essential outside regular business hours, don’t do it. Taking a break from your email will help you recharge and get ready for the next day.
Only checking your email at specific times might be difficult at first, but it can help you feel more relaxed and be more productive. If you try it, you might be amazed by how much of a difference it makes.
