Manage Your Zoom Fatigue

Having a meeting or chat via video often feels more difficult than talking to someone face to face. There are many reasons for this from technical to psychological. Technical difficulties such as slow connections, sound issues and participants being unfamiliar with the software cause interruptions and delays. Even when the connection is good, there's still a slight pause in transmission, which means awkward silences and doubts as to how you're perceived. You also have to focus harder to pick up on verbal and non-verbal cues. And on top of that, having to use video conferencing reminds us of the general feeling of uncertainty of these times, adding to stress.

To limit your “Zoom fatigue”, try to shorten your calls or eliminate some of them. Consider if that meeting is really necessary or if it could be handled via email or text. Have a clear goal in mind for the call or meeting and stick to that. Everyone involved will likely appreciate less time in front of the camera.

And if you do have to have a lot of long calls or meetings, allow members to turn off the camera at times if you're managing it. If it's not your call, you might also request this. Being constantly on camera makes it feel like you're performing. While it's helpful to see the speaker's face, those who are listening could turn off the camera at certain periods.

When you have several calls in a day, plan out some transition time for yourself. Take a short walk or do other light exercise, rest your eyes, get some water and try to relax and de-stress before the next call.

Depending on your home, you may be able to compartmentalise different types of calls by changing your surroundings. Another factor that makes Zoom calls stressful is working, living and socialising all in one place. Make one area your “office” and use that for work calls and activities, and go to another room or area for social or family calls.