Many companies are rethinking their return to office timeline with the recent spikes in Covid-19 cases nationwide and for many employees, that means more zoom meetings and no end in sight to the fatigue that seems to accompany videoconferencing. .
According to PsychiatricTimes.com, zoom fatigue is attributed to burnout due to the overuse of virtual communication platforms. Physical symptoms of burnout can include sleeplessness, tense muscles, and pain. Cognitive issues such as forgetfulness and lack of concentration can also develop.
So why is videoconferencing so taxing? Virtual meetings require your brain to work harder because in addition to processing what the speaker is saying, you must also give the impression you’re making eye contact. Additionally, when communicating virtually, a slight verbal delay requires more of your brain power to interpret the speaker’s words.
As we all work through this “new normal,” we’d like to offer possible solutions for those facing endless video conferences. Here are a couple key tips for reducing zoom fatigue:
First, consider which interactions truly require video. Could the matter be handled with an email or phone call? Try to balance your meetings with a mix of video conference and teleconference calls.
Second, when creating your schedule, include breaks where possible. It’s important to give yourself a break from continuously staring at a screen.
Third, remove distractions. Minimize the image on your screen if you find yourself becoming distracted by your own appearance. Or, consider asking if it’s okay to turn off your video functionality so that you can better focus on the discussion.
As always, we hope this helps. Feel free to share your tips for reducing zoom fatigue in the comment section below…and…by all means, make it a great day!
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