Unless your life depends on it, checking emails continuously is not good for you, your family and even your business. Life was stressful even before we had smart phones and now checking emails is easier and accessible than ever.

Researchers from University of California Irvine and the US Army found that being cut off from work email significantly reduces stress and allows employees to focus better.

Those with no email reported feeling better able to do their jobs and stay on task, with fewer stressful and time-wasting interruptions, the researchers found.

As women, we juggle between many different roles. It is challenging for us to be engaged in anything we do. We want to be fully present for our kids when we spend time with them – but we end up checking emails. We want to be more productive at work, but we keep checking emails constantly.

Taking a break from checking emails will actually boost your productivity.

One of my clients enjoys reading a book every evening and I was curious to know how she can find the time to do it. She told me she doesn’t open her laptop when she gets home from work. She checks her emails in the morning and before leaving work. The rest of the evening is living life and taking care of herself.

Her routine might be too extreme for you, but how about creating some email-free time every day?

For example, when I’m at the gym, I use my iPod, not my iPhone, so I can enjoy listening to music without having to fight the impulse to check emails. When I cook, I leave my phone in the other room so I focus only on cooking. I would like to get better with creating some email-free time every evening, to allow me to calmly transition into a good night sleep.

What about you?

Try to fit “email – break” time into your life and it will help you reduce your stress and be more productive.