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When you get to work and open your laptop and sign into your email, do you find yourself holding your breath as you scroll through the dozens of unopened emails waiting for a response? Well that's actually very normal and it actually has a word: Email Apnea.
We decided to head to TikTok, where Christina Gibson, a trauma therapist, explains what apnea is exactly. The way Christina explains it, apnea is a temporary stop to breathing that can happen involuntarily while you sleep, but it can also happen unintentionally during the day, like when you’re focused, anxious, or overworked.
Email apnea mainly refers to emails, since those are particularly stress-inducing, but it can also kick in as you stare at social media, text friends, etc.
Email apnea can also be a natural extension of a long exhale, which is something you might let out when you’re feeling on edge. It's important to keep in mind that it is very necessary to take breaks or unclench your jaw while you tackle those stressful tasks throughout your day to prevent that apnea from triggering.