Combat Zoom Fatigue

 Do You Like Videocalls?

With many of us using video conferencing for work and school, more and more people are experiencing “Zoom Fatigue”. Researchers have found key factors that make video conferencing so tiring, and they have some recommendations. 

The phenomenon is not unique to the Zoom platform specifically, but the widespread use of the software has led to “zoom” being used as a synonym for video conferencing – much as “googling” is a general term for using a search engine.

Personal space

Unlike an in-person meeting where participants will shift from looking at a speaker to other activities, on Zoom everyone is always staring at everyone else. These long stretches of close-up eye contact are stressful. The size of faces on your monitor is another factor.

 A person’s intimate space spans a radius of about 60 cm (~2 feet). Depending on your monitor size and Zoom settings, large faces of fellow participants can seem to be presented in close proximity. Reducing the size of your videoconferencing window – and moving away from your computer monitor – should help give the sensation of increasing the personal space between yourself and other participant’s faces.

Use the ”wide self-view” button

Seeing yourself during video chats is stressful. We don’t have a mini-camera following us around in real life that constantly shows us what we look like as we speak, etc. Most people become more critical of themselves when forced to stare at their reflection for hours a day. Once you’re positioned correctly in the monitor, use the “hide self-view” button, to solve this problem.

Get moving

People tend to move about the room, stand while presenting information, or pace around while thinking in real life. Being tied to a monitor can remove all of these actions. Using an external camera that is separate from a computer can generate personal distance that allows you to move about a room. Having some meetings be audio-only would also allow for movement.

Nonverbal communication

In video chats, our normal nonverbal communication is not as natural and we have to work harder to make and interpret gestures and nonverbal cues subconsciously. Try taking audio-only breaks throughout the day, to help reduce this fatigue.

Have you experienced Zoom fatigue? How do you make it easier to communicate through video conferencing?

13 Tips for a a successful video conference / call

1. Mute yourself when not speaking
2. Be on time.
3. Ensure your technology works
4. Use technology to fully engage remote participants.
5. Choose the proper software and hardware.
6. Wear work-appropriate clothing
7. Frame the camare corretly
8. Setup your space with optimal lighting
9. Look into the camera.
10. Pay attention
11. Don't interrupt when someone is speaking.
12. Make sure you aren't "live". (complaining while the mic is open, listening to other things, watching TV, etc).
13. Don't start a video call without warning