Self inflicted stress is real. The issue with technostress and infomania.

The compulsion to respond the moment an email or message arrives. Instant replies. No pause. And frankly? That mindset fuels unnecessary 

Something i see in people daily and something that key studies show. 

Interruptions are harmful:

Task interruptions from messages, notifications, emails increase anxiety, frustration, and error rates, while reducing accuracy and performance .

Checking email less frequently instead of immediately lowers daily stress and promotes well being .

Email “vacations” periods without email interruptions lead to less multitasking and less stress .

Constant after‑hours messages also damage morale, performance, and retention .

This all ties back to a broader issue: rising technostress and infomania the anxiety driven by perpetual connectivity.

Technostress: the pressure to stay connected and respond in real time, leading to emotional exhaustion and lower productivity .

Infomania: nonstop backlog and interruptions can reduce IQ and degrade focus distractions are mentally draining .

Here's some quick fixes:

Pause before replying. Not every ping deserves a reaction,especially not instantly.

Batch tasks. Block time for specific types of communication (e.g., check emails twice a day).

Set expectations. Clarify response norms (“urgent” vs. “not urgent”) with your team .

Protect your off hours. Even brief breaks from reactive messaging boost focus and morale .