• Workers can take three steps to avoid making their email inbox their first priority at work.

Workers can take three steps to avoid making their email inbox their first priority at work. (Photo : Reuters)

Email overload can be avoided by managing it in an effective way and making other tasks your first priority. By taking some simple steps you can prevent being overwhelmed by a full email inbox when you arrive at work each morning.

One important step is to avoid checking your email box before noon, according to Fortune. Instead, use that time to do more productive tasks.

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Besides not checking your e-mail before midday, you should also avoid emailing late at night and on weekends. Reading tons of e-mails during these times can get you bogged down, when you should be doing more relaxing activities instead.

There are special situations when you will need to send urgent work-related emails late at night or on the weekend. However, while your coworkers or clients might reply during these times you should not expect them to--even though it is less of a faux pas to email than to call during these times.

Another helpful method is to organize your incoming emails automatically. Your email wizard can search for keywords in the subject line of incoming emails, and then place them in particular folders.  

Following these basic rules these can help to make your life less stressful. The average worker spends 28 percent of the workday sending and receiving email, according to Mashable.

Taking these steps can also reduce the amount of junk mail you receive in your inbox. You can inform people to give you a call or send you a text about urgent matters, and send you an email about less pressing issues.

Email is certainly an invaluable method of communication in the workplace. That said, it should never inhibit your need to complete other tasks, get a good night's sleep, or most importantly-live life.