Seven ways to combat Zoom fatigue

3.) Minimise your own video

Forbes has also covered the phenomenon of Zoom fatigue. The publication finds that video calls are ‘unnatural’ because you see your own face in addition to those you are speaking to. Normally, in face-to-face communication, your own reflection isn’t there.

 

Rather than focusing on others, people tend to focus on themselves or feel self-conscious. People scrutinise their own hair, glasses, or clothes. For maximum productivity, minimise your video screen so you can concentrate on others.

 

 

4.) Plan your meeting in advance

There’s nothing more awkward than silence on a video call. To reduce video conferencing fatigue, make sure that you absolutely need to set up a call. Use Microsoft Office Teams or Slack chat when you don’t need video.

 

A well planned, efficient meeting is also easier to follow. Make sure that your participants are well briefed, and ensure that you’ve got an agenda that’s relevant to everyone. Delegate a chairperson so that participants can all have a turn to speak and engage.

 

Make the best out of the video conferencing calls you do have by reserving time away from digital meetings. Vidyard recommends that teams designate a day a week for meetings, or establish a ‘black-out’ period of no meetings.

 

 

5.) Make your video calls more interesting

Make your video call more interesting by following our tips and tricks. When it comes to training exercises, making sessions interactive helps combat video fatigue.

 

Digital tools like hand raising, live polls, and chat functions make meetings more engaging. Interactive content energises the crowd and helps organisers gather feedback during the meeting.

 

Scheduling time for break-out rooms with fewer people also ensures that everyone gets a turn to participate.

 

 

6.) Let participants control their own video functions

Zoom and video conferencing platforms have let colleagues into our personal lives. People can now see into your home office. What if the kids run in? Or the dog barks? There are now more hard to control elements in our working environment.

 

Speaking to the BBC, Marissa Shuffler, an associate professor at Clemson University says, “When you’re on a video conference, you know everybody’s looking at you; you are on stage, so there comes the social pressure and feeling like you need to perform. Being performative is nerve-wracking and more stressful.”

 

Empowering colleagues to switch the video off means they can assess when the environment is appropriate to share on screen.

 

 

7.) Separate your work and home space

Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, and many others are now being used at home for both work and personal use.

 

Flockblog recommends organising your workspace and keeping your background tidy to emphasise professionalism.

 

If you can, separate where you work from where you relax. This applies to digital platforms as well as physical spaces.

 

If your free time looks too much like work you’ll struggle to enjoy yourself!