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In a survey of 1,000 American workers in July 2025, ZeroBounce found that over half of Americans (53%) say they’ve deliberately avoided a work-related email to protect their mental health, and 1 in 4 (23%) say having just 10 unread messages in their inbox is enough to make them feel overwhelmed.
How you compose your emails might be adding to that stress. According to the survey, the most stressful phrases in emails are those that are vague – like “need this ASAP” or asking for a “quick chat.” Providing more details – like a more precise deadline or context for the conversation – could help reduce uncertainty and anxiety. Passive-aggressive language – like “per my last email” and “circling back” – also caused recipients stress. Consider softening your language so it doesn’t feel like an attack – and makes it easier for the recipient to re-engage without shame for not replying earlier.
If you’re looking to improve your internal communications to better engage and support your employees, Seven Letter can help.
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