Holding your breath while checking emails? Beware of 'email apnea'

Email apnea is our body's physiological response to intense stress and anxiety. — Photo: skynesher / Getty Images, via ETX DailyUp

They invade our computers and cell phones to such an extent that they become a real nuisance. In fact, many employees complain of feeling overwhelmed by emails. This informational overload can be hard to cope with, and can lead to "email apnea."

Email apnea is a physiological phenomenon that occurs in working people who are overwhelmed by their emails. To keep on top of the many emails they receive, workers spend long hours checking and sorting through their inboxes. This time-consuming activity can become a source of stress, especially when added to the long list of micro-tasks that need to be dealt with.