Are you tired of feeling stressed every time you see an email notification pop up? Well, fear not my friends, there’s a simple solution – communicate your expectations! Yep, just tell your boss or client, “Hey, this isn’t urgent, so get to it whenever you can.” Voila! The pressure is off and you can relax knowing that you don’t have to respond like a cheetah chasing its prey.

And guess what? Clarifying expectations isn’t just good for your mental health, it’s also good for productivity! Yes, it’s true. Research shows that when managers are explicit about their communication expectations, employees report being more productive and effective in their daily tasks. So, go ahead and demand those response times (within reason, of course).

But let’s not forget about the true enemy of productivity – interruptions! These little demons can derail our train of thought and make us feel like we’re stuck in a never-ending cycle of quick replies. But fear not, my friends (again), because you don’t have to be a slave to your inbox. When you know you don’t have to reply to emails right away, you can find that magical state of flow and dedicate your full attention where you wish (like watching cute cat videos, obviously).

Now, let’s take a trip to the Netherlands, where a financial services company tried out a new strategy. Instead of replying continuously, certain employees blocked out two or three periods a day to respond in batches. And guess what? It reduced burnout (in the short term, at least). But wait, before you start batching like crazy, know that it’s not a cure-all for well-being. So, maybe just stick to a reasonable schedule and don’t go overboard.

But here’s the real kicker – we need a culture change. Yes, I said it. We need to stop mistaking promptness for politeness. Sure, it may feel nice to get a quick reply, but does it really show that someone cares? Or are they just trying to impress you with their speedy typing skills? It’s time to rethink our priorities and stop living on-demand lives. So take a deep breath, relax, and remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day (and neither was our email inbox).

Serious News: nytimes