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Some Email Inbox Detox Could Help Lower Stress Levels

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- How many hours a day do you spend checking your email?

More workers say they are under pressure to respond to messages 24 hours a day.

As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, it has some considering an inbox detox.

For many, email is the first thing they check in the morning and the last thing before going to sleep. Thirty percent say they check their email while still in bed.

Lester Mu said he spends 10 to 20 percent of his day on his phone checking for messages.

"I'm on the go, so if I get something to eat, I'll check my email," he said. "At the end of the day, I'll respond to all the things that need more of a proper response."

A study of 2,000 people in the United Kingdom found the constant checking of emails is linked to higher levels of stress and pressure.

"So it's not necessarily about how many emails we receive, but when and how we access the email itself," said Dr. Richard MacKinnon, a psychologist.

And it seems nowhere is off limits.

Seventy percent of people check email while watching TV or movies.
Fifty percent when on vacation.
Forty-three percent when on the phone.
Even 42 percent check while in the bathroom.
If you think that's bad, 18 percent admit to checking email while driving.

A recent survey found, on average, people use email six hours a day, or 30 hours a week.

That has some going on a self-imposed email detox.

"That's why I take about three hours out of the day to set my phone down and not touch it," said Kayley Askea.

If you can't just hang it up, experts suggest clearing out your inbox.

Here's how:

Remove yourself from unwanted email lists. The fewer message you get, the less often you'll feel compelled to check your email and respond. Just search "unsubscribe" in your inbox. The unwanted newsletters and advertisements will come up, allowing you to quickly find and unsubscribe from those you no longer want.

Set specific times to respond to messages, instead of responding one by one as they come in.

Turn off dings and notifications.

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