As the internet has become more of an option for people to connect, many individuals have moved things like work online, and over the COVID-19 pandemic, this has become even more prominent. Zoom fatigue, which is a feeling of burnout, is an unfortunate side effect of that. If you’re looking to reduce Zoom fatigue and make your workday a little easier despite the many hours of video conferencing, here are a few tips for reducing Zoom fatigue.
1. Communicate in Multiple Ways
Relying exclusively on video conference calls can be a straight ticket to Zoom fatigue. Even in person, if you were in the exact same style of in-person meetings all day, you’d probably be exhausted by the end of the day. Consider utilizing other methods of communicating with your colleagues, including email, live chat, and even phone calls without video, all of which can help break up the monotony.
2. Add Breaks to Long Video Conferences
Breaks can be one of the best ways to break up a day of conference calls. If you have to have multiple video conferences back-to-back, consider making half-hour meetings 25 minutes and hour-long meetings 50 minutes, so you can have some time to yourself in the middle. For very long video conferences with the same group, try to negotiate five to ten minutes every hour that you can use to take a break.
3. Try Not to Multitask During Video Conference Calls
Multitasking is a normal thing to do during any meeting, because many people are looking for multiple sources of stimulation during a meeting. However, if you can hold off on this temptation, you may be able to get more out of your meetings. Multitasking can be immensely distracting, and that means you might have to ask people to repeat things they’ve already said. Committing yourself to the conference call can help you finish up your business more quickly.
4. Make Sure Virtual Socializing Is Optional
Virtual socializing, which can be sort of like parties where multiple people can attend, is a useful tool for many people. However, when the virtual socializing is required, it can be extremely frustrating rather than enjoyable and exciting. Instead of making virtual socializing events mandatory, consider making them optional, and especially allowing individuals to drop in during a virtual socializing event rather than making it so that everyone has to arrive at a specific time. That way, it doesn’t feel like “just another meeting.”
Conclusion
Zoom fatigue has had a significant impact on how people interact with work, and it makes sense that people are looking for ways to avoid it. To an extent, Zoom fatigue is just a type of fatigue that people might experience no matter what due to their jobs. However, you can make sure that your Zoom fatigue isn’t any worse than it could be. Follow these four tips to make sure that your Zoom fatigue is as avoidable as possible so you can do your work more effectively.
