How to Be More Mindful With Email Communications

It can be difficult to accurately convey an emotional tone in an email, which makes it easy for misunderstandings to happen. All the previous suggestions can help you become more skillful with email, from communicating positive sentiments to practicing body awareness. You might also practice resisting the urge to “fire off” emails in rapid succession.

“When you type an email, before you send it, sit back, take three deep breaths while not thinking about the email, then return to the email and reread it — not so much for the data but for the emotional effect it will have on the reader,” says Google visionary Chade-Meng Tan. “Imagine being that reader and try to look at the impact it might have. Then change it accordingly and send it.”

While it might seem time consuming to write an email this way, it is far easier than trying to retrieve a regrettable message.

Exercise: Mindful Email

Before sending an important email to the intended recipient, send it to yourself first. When you read it as the recipient, you’ll take in the tone, implications, and omissions that you might otherwise miss when you’re focused on composition. This will also give you the time you may need to reassess your own emotional state and revise the message (if necessary) before sending it off.

Stealth Meditation

We all receive upsetting emails. Resolve to wait at least two hours to respond to anything that makes your heart race.