Email Apnea: Do You Hold Your Breath When On Email? [Infographic]

This is so fascinating to me. I remember a few months ago, I specifically noticed that many times when I’m on my computer concentrating, I stop breathing. I hold my breath for about ten seconds or so, and then I take a breath. I noticed it because sometimes I hold my breath for so long that when I finally take a breath, the upper part of my body moves so much that it catches my attention. Then yesterday I found this infographic which states that what I’ve just described is called Email/Screen Apnea, and 80% of people apparently have it. Have you ever noticed this? Do you hold your breath when you are online?

This infographic called Breathtaking Technology Moments: How Our Devices Affect Health by Breath Research goes into this phenomenon in more detail. According to Breath Research, when you hold your breath while working, it not only affects your performance, it can also affect your stress level, your sense of emotional well-being and your ability to work effectively.

If you hold your breath while checking email, like me, you might want to consider trying to change that to improve your health. I want to live a long life, and if holding my breath attracts more stress and stress causes premature aging, well, let’s just say I am going to try to remember to breathe. There is even an app called MyBreath which is designed to help people optimize their breathing patterns. You basically breath into the microphone on your phone, and it analyzes the state of your breathing. Remember, we get energy from air, so it makes sense that we should try to get as much energy from each breath as possible. Start paying attention to your own breathing patterns. If you notice you hold your breath when you’re online, just know you aren’t alone.