Way to manually enable Screensaver/Clock Screen?

Here's a problem I have: I step away from my laptop, a notification/message arrives (e.g., an email), Gnome Screensaver activates (i.e., the clock screen), I return to my computer and swipe the touchpad to show the screensaver/clock screen in order to see if any notifications are present but none are displayed on the screensaver/clock screen because the email message arrived before the screensaver activated.

This problem could be solved if I could engage the screensaver/clock screen before stepping away from my computer. I can do this if I lock the screen, but I don't wan't to lock the screen and force me to have to enter a password on return.

Is there any way to manually engage the screensaver/clock screen (preferably by keyboard shortcut) without locking the screen?