Keepdisconnecting from work email for a while reduces stress and helps employees focus better, according to a study by the University of California (USA). To reach this conclusion, the researchers monitored the heartbeats of computer users in an office building, while software detectors recorded how often they opened and closed their PC desktop windows. Thus, they found that people who consulted their email accounts changed the screen twice as often and remained physiologically in a state of “high alert”, with more constant heartbeats. However, those who were forced to do without email for five days had a more natural heart rate, with variable beats, which is considered an indicator of health.
“When you force workers torest from email, multitask less and experience less stress“concludes Gloria Mark, who will present the results of the study at the Conference of the Association for Human-Computer Interaction to be held next week in Austin, Texas (USA). The study revealed that people with an email program electronic openthey changed windows 37 times every hour, while those who did not use this service changed the content of their screen only 18 times in the same period of time. Since stress is associated with multiple health problems (heart disease, obesity …), applying this measure at work can have a positive effect on long-term well-being.
Specifically, the researchers conclude thatTaking an “email vacation” during the workday can increase productivity and reduce stress. And they ensure that participants “disconnected from e-mail” tend to interact more in person to replace electronic communication, which has extra benefits.
