Why do we find video calls so draining? There are a few reasons.

Over the past few weeks, mentions of “Zoom fatigue” have popped up more and more on social media, and Google searches for the same phrase have steadily increased since early March. If you’re finding that you’re more exhausted at the end of your workday than you used to be, you’re not alone. To get all of HBR’s content delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Daily Alert newsletter. In these difficult times, we’ve made a number of our coronavirus articles free for all readers. Especially in situations where you’re communicating with people outside of your organization, don’t feel obligated to send a Zoom link. Finally, check your calendar for the next few days to see if there are any conversations you could have over Slack or email instead. Second, take mini-breaks during longer calls by minimizing the video, moving it to behind your open applications, or just looking away from your computer now and then. The next time you’re on a video chat, close any tabs or programs that might distract you, put your phone away, and stay present. It may be tempting to get other work done on a video call, but switching between tasks can cost you as much as 40% of your productive time. To make video calls less exhausting for yourself, try using a few research-based tips.įirst, avoid multitasking. They also require us to stare directly at a screen for minutes at a time without any visual or mental break, which is tiring. Why do we find video calls so draining? In part, it’s because they force us to focus more intently on conversations in order to absorb information.

What is zoom fatigue