To begin with, when we say Zoom Fatigue, we are basically referring to the tiring, draining impact that any sort of video call can have on us. It has almost been a year and Zoom has been an integral part of our lives every minute of the day.
Now comes the main question? Why do we find all these video calls so draining? It is because we are not used to being on video. Before this, we were going about our regular lives, we were busy in the office, being ourselves. It was all part of the routine. And now, this Zoom fatigue sets in because we are constantly on a display.
You can literally see yourself on the screen and you are constantly focussed on how you look, how you sound. You’d find yourself checking your hair, adjusting your posture, and constantly being aware of what you look like. On the contrary, on regular days we get up in the morning, get dressed, and then leave for work. We aren’t fixated upon what we look like. This is exactly why during physical meetings we are more focussed on what we are going to say instead of how we look while we are saying it.
How to Combat Zoom Fatigue:
Zoom fatigue doesn't exactly sound like the best-case scenario now as we adapt to the new normal, right? For instance, Twitter recently announced that most of its team would be working from home permanently now. Given that so many of us actually have the kind of jobs that can very well be navigated from homes, how do we eliminate Zoom fatigue, the only deterrent to an otherwise freeing idea?
It is important to remember that this is just like any other sort of fatigue that one might experience. For instance, when you first start working after your college, you feel a little tired of the routine, right? However, once you get used to it, it is fine. It is just a matter of routine.
Here are a few more things that you can try to keep Zoom fatigue at bay:
Avoid multitasking
Avoid defaulting to video until specified
Keep your mike muted until you are asked to speak
When on longer calls, minimise your window and take small breaks. During these breaks, you can also try some yoga and meditation exercises that'll help you relax.
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