What can you do about Zoom Fatigue?
Zoom fatigue is described as the sense of being totally exhausted after a series of online meetings. In our previous episode we focused on the first two causes, and in this episode we explore causes 3 and 4 .
The third cause of Zoom fatigue encompasses constantly seeing yourself during video chats in real-time. Add to this also a self-critical attitude about self-appearance that is quite common. Some people are even hypercritical of their own image, without realising it, especially their mirror-image, which is how they see themselves every day. This can be very stressful and distracting during online meetings. Interestingly the research shows a major difference between men and women regarding this. Also, for example, introverts experience stronger Zoom fatigue symptoms than extroverts.
We also explore our own suggestions about to deal with this.
The last cause considers that our cognitive load is much higher in virtual communication, where we have to work much harder to send and receive signals. Also, add the fact that we are focused on a matrix of video panels in front of us where we try to ‘read’ all of them simultaneously, instead of, like in real life, choosing to look around us, on where and what we want to focus on. And even though each panel image is small, this still puts us within each other's personal space, only adding to our sense of vulnerability.
We also explore what can we do ourselves, to make it less tiring for other people, by taking responsibility for how we show up in a virtual call.
Listen to our podcast to hear more, as well as our suggestions of how to minimise these in meetings.
https://news.stanford.edu/2021/02/23/four-causes-zoom-fatigue-solutions/
https://news.stanford.edu/2021/04/13/zoom-fatigue-worse-women/