Since the world was ambushed by the global virus in the year 2020, a lot of practices were either forced to change or changed for good. To control the spread of the deadly virus the virtual media was leveraged completely to keep the regular functions going without any halt. Where we formerly went to live lectures, webinars, and meetings, social interactions at present increasingly take place through video conference calls. Even family get-togethers are often done in front of computers. All this screen time has contributed to Zoom weariness, also known as Zoom fatigue, and is named after the well-known video conferencing platform. 

What is Zoom Fatigue?

Surely there’s no traffic to struggle with or enduring a steady stream of arrival and departure of people through your space when you are working remotely. Still after closing your zoom call for the day you witness exhaustion. Did you ever wonder why? 

It could be a sign that you are suffering from Zoom fatigue which is also known as virtual fatigue or Zoom exhaustion. And you are surely not the only one to witness such fatigue. The tiredness you feel after a video conference call is known as "zoom fatigue." In fact, zoom fatigue is now so prevalent that Stanford University scholars and others are starting to examine the psychological consequences it has on people. 

Dr. Brian Wind, co-chair of the American Psychological Association and associate professor in the psychology department at Vanderbilt University, stated in a recent interview with Health that "when we're on Zoom, the brain has to work overtime to process information. It isn't noticing the social cues it is used to, such as hand gestures, body gestures, and even a person's energy. This drains a lot of energy and stresses the psyche.” 

In a nutshell, Zoom fatigue is a typical sensation of mental tiredness and fatigue as a result of prolonged video conferencing. If you have to be in front of the camera all day or participate in many video conferences each day, it will eventually affect your mental endurance. 

Are your employees a victim of this fatigue? An intriguing Leadership Skills Training initiative with gamification, quizzes, visuals, etc. for your employees can be a great solution to this. 

Victims Of Zoom Fatigue 

Zoom fatigue equally affects both men and women. However, according to a recent study, it is the women who typically fall prey to zoom fatigue more quickly as compared to men in spite of controlling several variables. This is because women have higher mirror anxiety when they view themselves on a monitor for prolonged time periods. 

Various factors aggravate the circumstance and effects of Zoom fatigue not only for women but for men as well: 

• The frequency of zoom meetings needed per day or week 

• The duration of the video interaction 

• Little time between video interactions 

However, any kind of fatigue can be addressed with something providing excitement, enjoyment, and entertainment accompanied by valuable insights and knowledge of skill development. A compelling Leadership Development Training can break the ice. 

Signs And Symptoms Of Zoom Fatigue 

Zoom fatigue exhibits many of the same symptoms as burnout and mental exhaustion since it is a kind of burnout and mental fatigue. Though symptoms vary from person to person, the following are the most typical Zoom fatigue symptoms: 

• Anxiety 

• Depression 

• Anger 

• Feelings of exhaustion and/or burnout 

• Low productivity 

• Frustration and irritability 

• Physical symptoms such as pain and muscle tension 

• Headaches or migraines 

• Insomnia 

• Social detachment and difficulty maintaining relationships 

• Pessimism 

• Forgetfulness and concentration difficulties 

• Lack of motivation 

Individuals who are already suffering from mental health disorders or those struggling with high levels of stress frequently experience these symptoms to a larger extent. 

Anxiety, depression, frustration, etc. stems from disengagement. The best way to combat this is by making your employees feel valued. An effective Leadership Program is a great way to unlock employees' intrinsic motivation, making them more engaged, providing them the required autonomy, and most importantly, increasing their efficiency by eliminating all those negatives mentioned above. 

How To Fight Zoom Fatigue? 

Regardless of what you prefer, video calls and conferencing are becoming the present-day standard. Hence, the million-dollar question is: what can be done to prevent the consequences of zoom fatigue? Have a look at the following points: 

• Take Charge Of Your Life Back 

Not all the time your presence is required in virtual meetings. Hence it is advised to drop a video conference if your presence isn’t mandatory. To stay informed of the points covered in the meeting you can refer to the recording of the meeting later. However, it’s crucial to be present in those meetings that are absolutely necessary but make sure to take frequent breaks from the ongoing meeting. 

• Keep Your Camera Turned Off When Audio Is Enough

This becomes challenging when team project sessions or virtual meetings are planned voluntarily. Aside from the expectation of professionalism and the need to spruce up, video conversations may make you feel as if you must maintain a constant grin. 

Keeping your cameras closed also enables you to multitask and make that time productive. Furthermore, without the video component, there is no pressure of carrying the perfect appearance throughout the call. As a result, if an audio call is enough and you can occasionally switch off the camera, go for it! 

• Conduct Lightweight & Fun Zoom Meetings Too

Sometimes video conferencing becomes daunting as well, especially when it includes the boss. A good solution to that is to conduct fun zoom meetings as well. This would greatly aid in alleviating negative feelings regarding the meetings. 

Ending Lines 

However, there are clear advantages to video conferencing, which enables people to interact with others in times of solitude and makes employment and training classes more accessible to people with chronic health issues. But using it can come at a price. 

Zoom fatigue doesn't have a medical diagnosis, but its effects—burnout or exhaustion—are extremely real. However, this does not imply that everyone who uses video conferencing will eventually become fatigued by Zoom. The adoption of video conferencing software will probably remain the new norm. You may reduce your risk of experiencing Zoom fatigue and increase your productivity by being more aware of its causes and impacts along with following the above tips.