We all know what it’s like to open up your laptop first thing in the morning to a mountain of emails. It’s stressful, to say the least. But for some people, it goes beyond the usual levels of anxiety.

If you’ve ever found yourself unconsciously holding your breath or shallow breathing while dealing with emails, you could be experiencing what is known as email or screen apnea.

Put simply: it’s all to do with being overly and constantly stimulated when you’re stressed or busy – so much so that you barely move. You forget your real-world senses because everything’s happening on the screen. Think of it like your body going into ‘fight or flight’ mode as soon as you hit the inbox, which can lead to increased stress without us even realising.

“Email apnea can sneak up on us frighteningly easily,” explains career expert Victoria McLean, founder and CEO of career consultancy City CV. “It often starts with physical habits: slumping at your desk, leaning in too close to the screen or getting lost in a mountain of emails. Add in constant distractions and interruptions, and you’ve got a recipe for shallow breathing. Eye strain, a loss of awareness and the pressure to respond quickly can all make us tense up unconsciously. It’s that combination of physical and mental strain that triggers email apnea.”

‘Email apnea’ is real – here’s what causes it (and how to tell if you have it)