The study conducted by OnePoll in partnership with Microsoft Hotmail reveals that more than a third of those surveyed use their inbox to keep a digital record. The tendency to hold on to email clutter is causing Brits to spend a total of two weeks each year organising their emails.
Britons are dedicating twice as much time managing emails than they put aside for socialising with friends and family.
The average inbox is estimated to receive a whopping 14,600 emails this year, according to Microsoft. Updates, newsletters, and deals online consumers sign up to receive are known as greymail, which makes up nearly 80% of an average inbox.
Newsletters alone have increased significantly, rising 300% over the past 12 months.
The study also suggested that one in ten people experience anxiety and have trouble sleeping if their email inbox is disorganised with nearly 45% of 18-34 years experiencing stress when they are unable to find certain emails in their inbox.
Jenni Trent Hughes, psychologist and life strategist, said online users are uncomfortable with disorganised inboxes.
"While some consumers will be able to relate to these habits, whether it’s the desire to hoard things for sentimental reasons or just the practicality of keeping records, we all have a unique way of managing our digital lives," Hughes said.
"What’s interesting is the common behaviours that have been revealed and how certain groups of consumers approach things in similar ways. For anyone looking to improve how they manage their life online, it’s only a case of taking simple steps, but they first need to look at their everyday habits to understand what changes need to be made," she added.
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