Are you experiencing Zoom Fatigue?
Video chats after video chats… Are they as helpful as we think?
by Janel Wetzel, LLMSW
With a third of the population experiencing a form of lockdown or quarantine, many of us have turned to Zoom to fill our need for social engagement. Zoom is an online video chat platform used to connect with others from the comfort of our own living rooms.
We’ve adopted Zoom to join online exercise classes, for virtual happy hours with friends, have coffee dates with our moms, or for work meetings. Having this option to connect virtually with our loved ones, as well as to complete work obligations, has been immensely helpful and made the quarantine mandate a little more tolerable. Being able to see your nephews play or your grandparents smile whenever you want has been something many of us have been thankful for.
HOWEVER, WHEN DO TOO MANY ZOOM CHATS BECOME TOO MUCH?
A recent study has shown that many of us find these virtual visits exhausting. The BBC Workplace wrote an article recently exposing the “whys” to this common experience. They are calling it “Zoom Fatigue,” because, quite frankly, that is exactly what we’re experiencing!
One of the main reasons why we find online video chatting so exhausting is because it requires more focus than typical face-to-face meetings. We are searching harder for facial expressions; processing body language, or what we can see of the body; and we’re analyzing the tone and pitch of the other person’s voice. This all happens within seconds and we are doing these acts more consciously, whereas they might come more naturally when in person.
Pauses in a conversation are natural. However, during video chats, if a person does not respond, we may automatically assume technology troubles: Did the screen freeze? Is my internet out? Did I lose the connection? Is she still there? A study completed in 2014 showed that a 1.2 second delay perceived the other person as less friendly. This happens frequently in video chats due to internet connections and/or software updates.
Another huge reason we’re struggling with Zoom Fatigue is that video chats are a constant reminder of the relationships we’ve temporarily lost or are distanced from. It is a reminder of why we are quarantined and why we can’t interact with our peers on a face-to-face level. Even when communicating with loved ones, we often find ourselves wanting more or feeling left unsatisfied after our virtual chats.
Our minds believe we are together, but our bodies know otherwise. This mind-body disconnect can be confusing, which can cause exhaustion.
Now we know what Zoom Fatigue is, and we can all agree that this is incredibly REAL. We have a few more weeks of the isolation ban, so what can we do to ease this fatigue?
Listen to your body.
Have you had a migraine for two days? Experiencing upper back pain? Feeling extra irritable lately? This is your body’s way of telling you to take a break.
Set timers to stand up & move or stretch.
There are so many benefits to stretching! It doesn’t have to be downward dog, child’s pose, and any other fancy yoga position. It can be simply standing up from your work desk and reaching down to touch your toes. Or raising your arms as high as they’ll reach. Maybe bending side to side or doing a few deep knee-bends.
Turn your computer to face off to the side.
Having the screen not directly on you may alleviate some of the pressure when in group chats or meetings. It might make you feel less like the only person in the room.
Limit your chats.
Is it necessary to turn the camera on for your work conference call? Can you raincheck the video chat with friends this week? Try taking a break from virtual convos as much as possible. Let your mind recharge from the virtual world.
Write people old fashioned letters.
Grab your favorite pen, pull out some markers, and let the creative juices flow! Fill your social void by writing a heartfelt letter to a friend or family member. I know I always love getting mail that does not involve my bank account!
The point of this blog post is to reassure you that Zoom Fatigue is REAL. This is not in your head! If you noticed you have been feeling particularly tired lately, and you’ve been participating in many zoom chats, then you are most likely experiencing this. You are not alone!
Despite many of us beginning to feel the impact of social isolation, it is so important to remember that this will end and normal life will return. We will be able to embrace our loved ones, have lunch with our coworkers, and head to the grocery store WHENEVER WE WANT. Keep your head up, do your best to stay positive, and, as always, reach out to a safe person or therapist if you are feeling overwhelmed.