When a virtual meeting lasts for more than an hour, you may wonder, “why are they so tiresome?” There are several possible reasons for this, including cognitive processing power, Zoom fatigue, and overuse of the meeting. Here are some of the more common causes:
Zoom fatigue
There are several reasons why online meetings can become tiresome. If you are participating in more than one Zoom meeting a week, you may have a hard time focusing on the tasks at hand. This can lead to mental fatigue and irritability. Fortunately, there are ways to combat Zoom fatigue. Take an afternoon stroll, drink some herbal tea, or do some other activity that will help you feel better. You can also push back against the camera’s fatigue by completing tasks outside of the Zoom meeting.
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Taking breaks during Zoom meetings is an effective way to reduce the impact of meeting fatigue. To make sure you have enough time to think and collaborate, you can set up a “do not disturb” function to block out calls and emails during specific times. You can also try using recorded video messages to replace meetings. These videos can be quick, clear, and personalized, and can save you time. Even better, they can be done in a short period of time instead of hours or days.
Overuse of virtual meetings
If you spend a lot of time in virtual meetings, you may be suffering from “Zoom fatigue.” It’s a condition characterized by mental exhaustion and a tendency to focus on oneself. Researchers have found that women are more likely to experience this fatigue than men. They may be suffering from burnout and are more likely to use video conferencing to socialize and communicate with others, but this is a sign of deeper problem.
Overuse of video conferencing has become the standard for remote meetings, and many companies are considering flexible work options post-pandemic. This problem has several causes, including the fatigue caused by overuse. While the benefits of virtual meetings are undeniable, their overuse can be tiring. For many people, the effects of Zoom fatigue are not only psychological but also affect their relationships with their co-workers.
Lack of breaks
A recent study published in the journal Human Factors found that employees who attend online meetings are less engaged and get more tired. This was also the case for those who did not take breaks. According to studies by Microsoft, taking a break can be as simple as doing some physical activity or reading a book. Doing something that can focus the mind and help you forget about your work can be a great way to recharge your energy and reduce fatigue.
Research has shown that taking breaks during online meetings can reduce stress and increase brainwave activity. People with frequent breaks increase their beta activity and experience fewer feelings of fatigue. Taking short breaks between meetings is also effective for relieving stress. Breaks are important for keeping focus and engagement levels high, and taking short breaks during meetings can help you reduce the effects of stress and improve your performance. The more frequent your breaks are, the less likely you are to get distracted.
Cognitive processing power
One reason online meetings are so tiring is that the participants have to use more of their cognitive processing power. This problem is especially acute in multi-person settings, where the brain has to process many faces at once. It also has to deal with a lack of physical cues that help the brain recall details. The brain has a hard time decoding the face of a stranger unless they can see it, which makes an online meeting even more tiring.
Another reason why online meetings are tiring is that participants are constantly interrupted by multiple alerts. Multiple alerts pop up on the screen, which makes multitasking even more difficult. And of course, there are technological glitches, which can add to the stress. Although video conferencing has its benefits, it isn’t the best choice for every business situation. Using a video-conferencing tool like Zoom could eliminate this problem, but managers need to use it wisely.