Do you ever just automatically get sleepy the moment you start a Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet meeting? What you might be putting off as procrastination is something much more serious and it affects a lot of employees. This is Zoom fatigue, where you feel both physical and mental fatigue after spending an entire day in back-to-back meetings.
Once you end the calls, you realize that your shoulders are stiff and hunched, your eyes are sore and your brain is whack. Any plans of going out tonight are going to get canceled because you’re too tired to do anything. Does it sound familiar? Well, we’re going to help you combat this plague using some simple strategies.
Let’s dive in!
What is Zoom/Meet/Teams Fatigue?
Zoom fatigue is a type of tiredness that happens when you’re often on video calls, like those on Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. This feeling has become more common with remote and hybrid work, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic when face-to-face meetings became less common.
Think about it this way: because of the pandemic, we started using video calls a lot more. Zoom, for example, went from 10 million users in December 2019 to over 300 million in April 2020. Google Meet and Microsoft Teams also saw a big increase in users. This was because businesses had to still continue their operations from home.
With so many virtual meetings, people started feeling tired, stressed, and even burned out. That’s what we now call “Zoom Fatigue” – it’s when you feel exhausted from being on video calls too much. It’s like having too many meetings in a day that leave you feeling drained.
Why do we even feel Zoom Fatigue?
Zoom meetings can be exhausting for a few reasons related to how our brains work during virtual interactions. When you’re talking to someone face to face, you can easily pick on their body language and understand what they’re to say. But on Zoom, you have to work harder to understand these signals, making our brains work more and causing us to feel tired.
Here’s why:
- More Effort to Show Engagement
When we’re on calls online, we have to put in xtra effort to show that we’re interested like sitting upright, making constant eye contact and making gestures. This can tire us out.
- Always Checking Ourselves
Being on video makes us more aware of ourselves. We might worry about how we look or if we’re in the center of the screen. This constant self-checking is mentally tiring.
- Intense Eye Contact
Staring at faces on the screen for a long time, even if you’re not the one talking, can be stressful. It can make you feel like you’re being watched closely, which is mentally demanding.
- Not Moving Around
Unlike in-person meetings where we can move, virtual meetings often keep us sitting in the same spot. This lack of movement can make us feel less natural and might affect how well we can think and engage.
- Home Distractions
Meetings at home can have more distractions like roommates, pets, or kids. The temptation to do other things while on a call can make it harder to focus.
How do you know if you have Zoom Fatigue?
Now you might be thinking that Zoom fatigue is not a real illness so how on earth will you know if you have it too? Maybe you’re just being lazy during online meetings and thats it? Well, here are some important signs to watch out for when you complete back to back mewtings:
Eye Strain
Spending a lot of time on Zoom or other video calls can make our eyes tired and strained. When we stare at the computer screen without blinking much, it can lead to eye strain. Also, being very close to the screen for a long time can make our eyes work extra hard, especially when trying to focus on one image. It’s like making our eyes run a marathon, and our eyes weren’t really designed to do so much work up close for hours.
Headaches
Looking closely at a computer screen during video calls might cause more than just eye strain; it can lead to headaches too. Because we’re focusing on something up close for a long time, our eyes can feel strained, and this strain might result in a headache. Also, the different colors we see on video can make the eyes and head hurt together.
Body Aches
When we have video calls, we usually sit in front of our computers to stay in the camera’s view. But staying in one place and not moving much can make our bodies ache. Unlike in-person meetings where we can move around, stretch and go to our coworker’s cubicle to annoy them, video calls often keep us stuck in one position for a long time, leading to discomfort and body aches.
Mirror Anxiety
Seeing our own video image during a video call can make some people feel uneasy. This is called “mirror anxiety.” It’s like looking in a mirror, and it can be more challenging for people who are a bit shy or introverted. For them, seeing themselves on the screen requires extra mental effort and might make them feel tired during video calls.
Boredom
Sometimes, being part of a video call can be exciting and energizing. But if the discussion is not interesting, we might get bored and become disengaged. This means we’re not really paying attention or participating actively. Trying to stay alert and engaged when we’re not interested can make us feel tired after the video call is over. It’s like our energy gets drained because we’re not fully into the conversation.
How to Minimize Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams Fatigue
Zoom fatigue is not something you should take lightly. Nowadays, more and more companies are moving their operations remote so you might have to work from home full time from the future. If that will be the case, then attending back to back Zoom meetings will be something you have to do daily. If you don’t take care of the Zoom fatigue then there will be a point where your body will give up and you will be super tired all the time. That’s why, here are some strategies to prevent this fatigue:
Does the meeting even have a Purpose?
Before planning a meeting, ask yourself why you need one. Think about whether there’s a good reason to bring everyone together. Is the topic omething that requires people to talk and share ideas? Is a meeting the best way to share information on it? If the answer to all three questions is yes, then go ahead and schedule the meeting. If not, consider using other ways like sending messages, emails, or using shared documents.
Make sure the meeting helps the team achieve its goals. Meetings are useful when they make people accountable for their tasks by discussing them in the group. If a meeting doesn’t have a clear purpose or help with team goals, it might not be necessary. When planning a meeting, think about the questions you want to answer. This helps you understand what you’re trying to achieve and who needs to be there.
Think carefully about who needs to be at the meeting. Imagine if managers had to pay for each person present – it would make them think about who really needs to be there.
Use Asynchronous communication
Using asynchronous communication, or async, means you can share information in writing without needing to meet in person or through video chats. It’s a smart way for teams that work remotely or have a mix of in-office and remote members to stay on the same page. The cool thing is that it also helps keep track of what everyone’s doing.
Here are some ways you can use async communication to replace or shorten different types of meetings:
Status Updates:
Instead of having a meeting where everyone talks about what they’re working on, teams can write updates to share progress and mention any challenges they’re facing. This way, you get detailed info without the need for a long meeting.
Standups:
Instead of daily meetings where everyone talks about their tasks, teams can write short updates about what they’re working on and how things are going. It saves time and still keeps everyone informed.
Team Meetings:
Before a team meeting, team members can read a document or message that gives them a heads-up on what’s going to be discussed. This helps everyone come prepared, making the actual meeting more focused and shorter.
Brainstorms:
Before getting together to brainstorm ideas or look back on a project, team members can share their thoughts in writing. This way, when you meet, you can be more creative and spend less time talking because everyone already has some ideas.
Work 1:1s:
Instead of spending time in a meeting just for updates, team members can share what they’re working on through written check-ins or emails. This leaves more room in the meeting to talk about personal development or how everyone is feeling.
Give yourself a break
Taking breaks and moving around is important, especially when you have one Zoom meeting after another. It can get tiring because we don’t get a chance to stretch our legs. If video isn’t really necessary for the conversation, think about using a different way to talk, like a regular phone call or even a walking meeting.
Taking a break helps you to collect your thoughts. You might feel like you’re stuck in one task and can’t really solve it. Once you take a break and stretch your body, you open your mid as well which will get the creativity flowing.
Less Meetings=Less Fatigue
Yes, its that simple! Why not just cut down on the number of video meetings you have. While it might seem like a pretty simple idea, putting it into practice seems impossible. We tend to choose the easiest option for us in the moment, but if we took a moment to think long-term, we might spend a little extra time on an email or make our messages clearer.
Writing things down can save a lot of meetings. Instead of scheduling a video call, think about whether your message could be conveyed through an email. Making your points clear in writing can lead to fewer meetings and, consequently, less Zoom fatigue.
So, the next time you’re about to ask someone for a Zoom meeting, try putting your question or discussion points in a message instead. This way, they can respond right away, ask for more details, or let you know if they need time to research or gather information. Even if you still end up having a meeting, you’ve clarified the need for it and made the process more efficient.
Brainstorm in silence
When it comes to meetings, let’s not just aim for efficiency but also throw in a dash of thoughtfulness for everyone’s sake. Think about when it’s the right time to gather, especially if folks are in the same place – that makes a big difference.
By the way, did you know brainstorming quietly, using shared docs, can spark even more awesome ideas? So, let’s be mindful about when we meet, find cool ways to collaborate, and be the ones bringing solutions to the table.
Keep it Short
To make our workdays smoother, let’s try to shorten our meetings. First, think about whether the meeting really needs to be as long as planned. Sometimes, we can achieve the same goals in less time by focusing on the important stuff. Plan ahead with a specific agenda so everyone knows what we’re aiming for, and the meeting can end once we reach those goals.
Next, let’s all aim to be straightforward in our updates and discussions. Short and sweet is the key! This not only saves time but also keeps everyone interested and attentive. Encourage team members to share info in a brief way, and maybe set time limits for each topic. Making our meetings quick and to the point can really save us time.
And here’s an easy one: schedule a little break between meetings. It gives everyone a chance to wrap up, take a breath, and get ready for the next one. This simple trick stops meetings from feeling rushed and overwhelming. With these ideas, we can make our meetings more efficient, leaving more time for important work.
Extra Tips to Combat Zoom Stress
Take Camera Breaks:
It’s okay to turn off your camera for a bit during a meeting. It can be tiring to be on video all the time.
Practice Self-Care:
Take short breaks during longer virtual meetings to stretch or do breathing exercises. It helps refresh your mind.
Mix Up Meeting Styles:
Try different ways of meeting, like using collaborative tools or playing fun games. It keeps things interesting.
Learn Platform Features:
Get comfortable with the video platform. Learn about cool features that can make meetings better.
Have Virtual Social Time:
Plan fun virtual events, like coffee breaks or team-building activities, to keep the team connected.
Be Clear About Expectations:
Make sure everyone knows what to expect in a meeting. Knowing how long it will be and what it’s about helps reduce stress.
Follow Meeting Etiquette:
Agree on some rules for virtual meetings, like muting when not talking or avoiding distractions. It makes meetings smoother.
Talk About Virtual Fatigue:
Share how you feel about virtual meetings. It’s okay to talk about it, and the team can make adjustments.
Be Flexible:
Understand that everyone has different schedules. Try to be flexible with meeting times when possible.
Celebrate Wins:
Acknowledge and celebrate achievements during meetings. It boosts everyone’s mood.
How to have Fun on Zoom Meetings to Avoid Fatigue
. Themed Meetings:
Add a dose of fun by picking themes like “Crazy Hat Day” or “Favorite Movie Character.” It’s an easy way to keep the mood light and it means less stress for you.
3. Icebreaker Games:
Kick off meetings with a smile by playing quick games like Two Truths and a Lie or virtual Pictionary. It’s a fantastic way to bring everyone closer.
4. Emoji Reactions:
Use Zoom’s emojis to express yourself without interrupting. A simple thumbs-up or a laughing emoji can say a lot!
5. Virtual Snack Time:
Take a short break for a virtual snack. Share what you’re munching on and create a relaxed atmosphere. It’s like a mini virtual picnic!
6. Show and Tell Sessions:
Share something interesting from your desk or personal space. It’s a glimpse into your world and a chance to bond over shared interests.
7. Thumbs-Up Check-ins:
Instead of traditional check-ins, give a thumbs-up to share your mood. It’s a quick and visual way to connect.
Wrapping Up
After a long and tiring day of work calls, you don’t have any energy left to do anything, and this should not be the case. Remote working is here to stsy and if you continue to feel the Zoom fatigue then you will burn out soon. Also, you wont be able to give in as much productivity as you used to, which might even hurt your job. So take care of the fatigue with our strategies and keep the work life balance in check.
