Since COVID-19 hit, remote work and virtual meetings have become the main way many of us interact at work. Platforms like Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet have been lifesavers, keeping us connected even when we’re miles apart. Unfortunately, along with all this screen time comes a new problem: Zoom fatigue. This is an article written by Michelle Bowden, presentation skills trainer on Understanding Zoom Fatigue and how to fix it. Enjoy!
What is Zoom Fatigue?
Zoom fatigue refers to that drained feeling you get after prolonged participation in virtual meetings or video conferences.
There’s been quite some research into zoom fatigue and why it wears us out:
Higher cognitive load: Research conducted by Stanford University’s Professor Jeremy Bailenson and his team highlights several contributing factors. They identified that prolonged video calls lead to excessive close-up eye contact, increased self-evaluation from seeing yourself on camera, and reduced mobility because you’re often sitting on your butt for long periods of time! These elements create a higher cognitive load compared to in-person interactions, thereby intensifying mental fatigue.
Blurred boundaries: Microsoft’s comprehensive survey on remote work trends underscored the challenge of ‘blurred boundaries’ between work and personal life, increased stress from consecutive meetings without breaks, and the need for flexible work arrangements to alleviate fatigue.
Burnout: Research from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden delved into the psychological effects of virtual meetings, revealing heightened feelings of fatigue, social anxiety, and burnout among participants, especially in the face of technical difficulties or multitasking challenges.
So you see, while it’s great to have the option of virtual connection, it’s not all good!
How can you reduce Zoom Fatigue?
Here are some suggestions to reduce Zoom fatigue:
1. Limit Screen Time: Schedule breaks between meetings to allow for mental and physical recovery. Use this time to stretch, walk around, or engage in activities that reduce screen exposure.
2.Establish Boundaries: Avoid scheduling back-to-back virtual meetings for others.
3. Optimise Environment: Create a conducive workspace with adequate lighting and ergonomic setup to minimise physical discomfort and strain during virtual meetings.
4. Encourage Movement: Advocate for breaks and suggest turning off cameras during longer meetings to reduce the pressure of constant visibility and encourage natural breaks.
5. Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques between virtual meetings – such as deep breathing or meditation to manage stress and enhance overall well-being.
6. Promote Varied Communication Channels: Recognise that not all interactions require video calls. Encourage the use of voice calls, instant messaging, or email for tasks that do not necessitate real-time visual communication. I love a good phone call lying on my bed when working from home!
7. Support Flexible Work Practices: Embrace flexible working hours and asynchronous communication for tasks that allow for independent completion. This approach reduces the dependency on continuous virtual meetings.
By implementing these strategies, you will better navigate the challenges of virtual communication more effectively, fostering a balanced approach that prioritises both productivity and well-being in the remote work landscape. As research continues to evolve, understanding and addressing Zoom fatigue will remain crucial in shaping sustainable work practices for the future.
Happy presenting!
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©2024 MICHELLE BOWDEN is an authority on persuasive presenting in business. She’s run her Persuasive Presentation Skills Masterclass over 1000 times for more than 13,000 people over the past 25 years and her name is a synonym for ‘presentation skills’ in Australia.
She’s a multi-million-dollar pitch coach to her client list that reads like a who’s who of international business: banking and finance, IT, pharmaceutical, retail, telecommunications plus many more.
Michelle is the creator of the Persuasion Smart Profile®, a world-first psychological assessment tool that reports on your persuasive strengths and weaknesses at work.
Michelle is also the best-selling internationally published author of How to Present: the ultimate guide to presenting live and online (Wiley) and How to Persuade: the skills you need to get what you want (Wiley).
