![]() ![]() Plus, the ways you usually cope with stress or anxiety - for example, breathing exercises or calming techniques such as meditation - can also mitigate email anxiety. Prewitt does have tips on how people can remain calm while diving in. Tackling that pile of emails can feel overwhelming, although Dr. “There could be some worry about whether or not your intention is perceived correctly in the email,” Dr. For example, typing in all caps is viewed as yelling, while someone might think you’re rude if you do (or don’t) use punctuation or a specific greeting. It’s easy to miss something or make an error, or question whether you’re using a tone that’s considered appropriate or offensive.”Įmails also lack the kind of vocal inflection and emotional context that clear up misunderstandings. “Having to hurry up and write an email can definitely lead to some anxiety. “People often find themselves in a time crunch when they’re responding to emails,” says Dr. It’s also incredibly easy to make mistakes when sending emails - whether that equates to an embarrassing typo, forgetting to send an attachment or spelling someone’s name incorrectly. “On the flip side, checking email can also become a distractor from other work tasks.” “If you naturally believe that responding to e-mails in a timely and thoughtful manner is a form of responsible behavior, then you could potentially have some anxiety if you feel like you’re not able to keep up with your responsibilities,” she says. If you’re conscientious and pride yourself on making to-do lists - and then checking off things when you’re done - the pace and volume of email communication is also a stressor. Someone might be anxious that other people have expectations about how or when they should respond.” ![]() “We all have different types of responsibilities at work, and there might be expectations about how or when you’re supposed to respond to emails. Prewitt.Įmail anxiety also often comes from mismatched expectations, she adds. “If you’re already worried about how people view you, what you write can make you anxious because you’re not sure how they might interpret something that you’re writing,” says Dr. Why does email cause anxiety?Īnyone prone to social anxiety - or even anxiety in general - could also be susceptible to email anxiety. “If you send an email and you’re expecting an immediate response from someone - and instead you don’t hear back and are in limbo - that can cause anxiety,” Dr. The quick pace of social media and texting also sets up unrealistic expectations for email response times. And when you do get a response, you could be anxious to open it. When you don’t hear back right away, that can cause concern. You might be nervous about sending an important message. People develop anxiety at all stages of an email’s lifespan. It could be related to procrastination - for instance, if there’s something negative that you’re anticipating, or you’re afraid or worried about how to respond or address an issue in an email.” “It could be related to feeling overwhelmed because your emails are piling up. However email anxiety “presents itself in multiple ways,” Dr. “For people who prefer text messages or social media, email represents one more way they have to communicate - and it might not be their preferred method of communication.” “It adds to the list of things that you have to be responsible for,” says Dr. What is email anxiety?Īnswering email can often feel like a chore because it’s something extra you have to manage on top of day-to-day activities. Prewitt, PhD, explores the causes of email anxiety - and provides tips on how to cope with your overflowing inbox. ![]() If five people send you a quick hello, those greetings add up fast.Įnter email anxiety, a modern phenomenon stemming from our hyper-connected world that we’ve likely all experienced - whether it’s a time we were fearful of sending a message or clicking open on that important response. PolicyĪt the same time, because communication is so convenient, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by messages. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. ![]()
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