If you’re always exhausted by online meetings, you’re not alone. The phenomenon is known as Zoom fatigue, and it affects many remote workers. While virtual fatigue is not a formal diagnosis, it mimics regular burnout in many ways. For more information on Zoom fatigue, see this article.
Zoom fatigue
Zoom fatigue can affect you and your team in many ways. For instance, it can make you irritable and tired. It can also reduce your concentration. Therefore, it is important to schedule breaks to avoid running yourself ragged. The Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue scale was created by Bailenson to measure the different types of fatigue that can be caused by video calls.
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Regardless of your reason for attending online meetings, you can help reduce your Zoom fatigue by taking a few steps. First of all, make sure Zoom is working properly for you. Another way to reduce Zoom fatigue is to avoid multitasking while you’re attending a Zoom meeting. This will require you to use more mental energy and will lead to a feeling of burnout. It is also recommended to keep your browser windows closed so that you can focus fully on Zoom.
Work-from-home life
There’s no doubt that online meetings and work-from-home life can be exhausting. As the global workforce has become increasingly mobile, many companies and organizations have shifted their business practices to allow employees to work from home. The use of video calling software like Zoom and Microsoft Teams has helped organizations replace face-to-face meetings with more efficient and convenient virtual meetings. However, while video meetings can make up for lost face-to-face time, they can also be extremely tiring.
There are other challenges that work-from-home employees face. One is a lack of a clear work-life balance. Working at home can make it difficult to decompress and mentally prepare for work. However, commutes help employees maintain a clear start and end to their workday. Additionally, home workers often work through illness. In addition, they have to continue to educate their children and keep up with household chores.
Digital brain drain
While the advent of videoconferencing has made it possible for most people to stay connected via video, there are certain factors that should be considered to avoid digital brain drain and online meetings. Zoom meetings, for example, can result in a condition known as “Zoom exhaustion” if the participants spend hours on their computers. To prevent this condition, people should walk and talk while they are on the call. In addition, looking away from the screen is recommended to reduce stress levels and improve focus.
Another way to avoid digital brain drain and online meetings is to set a timer for regular breaks. A good rule of thumb is to take a break every twenty minutes. This will prevent the dreaded FOMO (fear of missing out) from distracting you from your work. Moreover, students should limit their internet use to only those websites they really need to access. While scanning websites, students may encounter interesting links. If they are interested in these links, they should copy them and paste them into a list. Additionally, it is best to keep healthy snacks and water close to the workspace.
Pre-meeting rituals
Taking part in online meetings can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. It can also lower morale. You may want to institute a pre-meeting ritual to get everyone in the room motivated. Here are a few ideas: Do 100 jumping jacks before the meeting begins, play some music, or dance to a favorite song.
Create an agenda. Having an agenda helps keep the meeting on track and avoid wasting time. It also gives participants time to prepare questions, ideas, and concerns. By having an agenda, everyone can prepare for the meeting ahead of time. You can also set goals for the meeting and encourage participants to set them.
Avoiding distractions
One of the most important tips to follow when attending an online meeting is to stay focused. This means limiting background noise and asking others not to interrupt you while you are talking. The best way to do this is to memorize your presentation notes and avoid fidgeting while speaking. This will make you appear unprofessional and irritate the other participants.
Avoiding distractions while attending an online meeting is especially important if you’re participating in a conference call. Many people set their phones and computers to alert them whenever a text message, email, or phone call arrives. Although you can usually ignore these notifications, it’s important to turn them off during a web meeting.