Checking email less frequently reduces stress. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kushlev, Kostadin; Dunn, Elizabeth W.
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 43(2015)
• Page Start: 220
• Page End: 228
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Email -- Subjective well-being -- Stress -- HCI -- Well-being at work; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2014.11.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Highlights: Limiting the frequency of checking email throughout the day reduced daily stress. Lower daily stress predicts greater well-being (e.g., higher positive affect). The frequency of checking email did not directly impact other well-being outcomes. Abstract: Using email is one of the most common online activities in the world today. Yet, very little experimental research has examined the effect of email on well-being. Utilizing a within-subjects design, we investigated how the frequency of checking email affects well-being over a period of two weeks. During one week, 124 adults were randomly assigned to limit checking their email to three times a day; during the other week, participants could check their email an unlimited number of times per day. We found that during the limited email use week, participants experienced significantly lower daily stress than during the unlimited email use week. Lower stress, in turn, predicted higher well-being on a diverse range of well-being outcomes. These findings highlight the benefits of checking email less frequently for reducing psychological stress.