“Work from home” is evolving to “work from anywhere.” I have taken plenty of calls on my back deck or at a public park. For example, a video call requires you to remain in one position for the entirety of the meeting. Instead, you’re stuck positioning yourself in the middle of your computer screen—and if you move, your video could look awkward.

The term “Zoom fatigue” came after the platform’s popularity peaked at the beginning of quarantine. So, no matter which video-conferencing platform you use – you can still feel Zoom fatigue. Imagine you are walking around your workplace followed incessantly by colleagues holding a mirror that causes you to stare at yourself for large parts of the day. If any of these signs seem familiar to you, it is highly possible that you may be feeling burnt out. If this is the case, there are a few things you can do to take care of yourself.

Consider If Video Conferencing Is Needed

Even a well-intentioned listener trying to detect microexpressions can end up having a longer or more intense eye stare, which can be read by the viewing person as hostility. In-person and audio phone conversations allow humans to walk around and move. But with videoconferencing, most cameras have a set field of view, meaning a person has to generally stay in the same spot. “There’s a growing research now that says when people are moving, they’re performing better cognitively,” Bailenson said.

• A sidelong glance to someone during an in-person meeting means something very different than a person on a video chat grid looking off-screen to their child who just walked into their home office.
• In a 2014 research study, it was demonstrated that even delays of 1.2 seconds on technological systems made folks perceive that the responder was less friendly or not as focused on communication with them.
• It’s easy to think that you can use the opportunity to do more in less time, but research shows that trying to do multiple things at once cuts into performance.

It may be tempting to get other work done on a video call, but switching between tasks can cost you as much as 40% of your productive time. The next time you’re on a video chat, close any tabs or programs that might distract you, put your phone away, and stay present. Second, take mini-breaks during longer calls by minimizing the video, moving it to behind your open applications, or just looking away from your computer now and then. Finally, check your calendar for the next few days to see if there are any conversations you could have over Slack or email instead.

Reduce distracting noise.

No matter how draining it may be to some people, Zoom fatigue is not a lasting condition. But, it should be addressed to prevent burnout and make meetings more productive. Before the pandemic, our homes usually were a work-free environment. This change has created a lack of transition between work and personal time. In this article, we share some common causes and tips on how to stop Zoom fatigue.

It is easier to look around and maintain eye contact with others in a face-to-face setting. However, during a video call, it becomes difficult to display natural body language. Looking off to a side, trying to read the time, or even taking notes can be interpreted as you not paying attention. This puts a lot of pressure on individuals to behave a certain way – by sitting straight or focussing solely on the person who is talking, for example. Eliminating meetings may sound nice right about now, but we need meetings to stay connected and productive.

How Do I Stop Zoom Fatigue?

It can be mediated by taking the effort to recover or simply limiting your time spent in virtual meetings. It’s no surprise that a rapid increase in video-conferencing has affected our well-being. People have begun reporting feeling fatigue and anxiety due to such meetings.

Even if you’re just catching a quick glimpse of yourself during the meetings, it can make you feel more critical of yourself. You may start feeling self-conscious about the expressions you make or little details about your appearance. With remote work’s challenges in mind, it’s fair to consider that Zoom fatigue could just be burnout. While these two conditions may share similar signs and symptoms, they shouldn’t be confused.

Limit Distractions and Multitasking

I’m not saying you should lie, but if you are experiencing bandwidth issues, wink…wink… turning off your camera helps improve the audio quality. With everyone working from home and many kids going to https://remotemode.net/blog/remote-work-burnout-fatigue-and-how-to-avoid-it/ school virtually, it’s very plausible. Remember – in the end, less screen time will lead to less scream time. When you do need to schedule a meeting, be bold enough to reduce the total meeting time.