Dear Andrea Csilla,

When I worked in the pharmaceutical industry, I didn’t just manage clinical trials—I led a team through some of the most challenging projects of my career. As a doctor, I noticed how stress and work habits directly impacted both my own health and that of my colleagues.

💡 One Small Habit Change

One of the first productivity tips I shared with my team was simple:
Turn off your email notification pop-up windows.

Why? Because research shows that every interruption can cost you up to 23 minutes of productive focus—the time your brain needs to fully return to the original task after being distracted.

⚠️ The Human Cost

Almost everyone on my team made the change, but one manager refused.
She insisted that the pop-ups didn’t bother her—she could just glance at them and keep working. She even claimed she worked best under pressure.

But the clinical trial we were running was especially demanding.
One day, this manager suddenly disappeared from work.

We later learned she had developed a serious heart condition, likely triggered by chronic stress.
She was just 45, with a 7-year-old daughter at home. She spent over two months on sick leave, and her health was so compromised that she couldn’t even care for her child.

Is it worth waiting until things go this far?

🧠 Multitasking Is a Myth

Multitasking—or more accurately, constant task-switching—is a major source of stress.
It doesn’t just reduce your productivity; it can have real, lasting effects on your health.

👩‍⚕️ Doctor’s Recommendation

As a medical doctor and productivity coach, my mission is to help you achieve more without sacrificing your well-being.

You don’t have to choose between performance and health.
You can have both—with the right habits.

📚 The Science

Research from the University of California, Irvine, found that after an interruption, it takes an average of 23 minutes to get back on track.
Chronic interruptions increase stress and can lead to burnout and long-term health problems.
(Mark, Gudith, & Klocke, 2008)

🎯 Ready to work smarter—and healthier?

Protect your focus. Protect your health.

👉 Book a free 30-minute Productivity & Well-Being Strategy Session to discover how science-backed productivity habits can help you thrive—without burnout.

Have a productive day!

Andrea

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LinkedIn: Andrea (Csilla) Szabó

Facebook: Andrea Csilla Szabo  (Szacs)

Website: Stress-free Team