A recent study by Stanford University’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab (VHIL) confirmed what many of us suspected: video call fatigue, or Zoom fatigue<\/a>, is a real phenomenon.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n Virtual meetings sometimes made up over half of my working hours, and I bore the brunt\u2014\u2014the mental drain, the struggle to focus, the ever-present eye strain after spending hours ‘Zooming’. Zoom fatigue also manifests in several other ways that impact our motivation and overall well-being\u2014irritability and insomnia, to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But it\u2019s possible to overcome Zoom fatigue with effective strategies. I did, and you can too!<\/p>\n\n\n Zoom fatigue leaves most of us feeling like ‘Zoombies’. It\u2019s a specific kind of exhaustion caused by the intense concentration required during Zoom meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The researchers from VHIL, who confirmed Zoom fatigue’s existence, also developed a tool to measure the level of fatigue people experience from virtual interactions\u2014the Zoom Exhaustion & Fatigue Scale (ZEF Scale)! <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a 15-question survey that analyzes five dimensions of fatigue:<\/p>\n\n\n Once we understand why Zoom meetings leave us feeling ‘zoned out’, we can start figuring out ways to fight back and make the whole video conferencing experience less exhausting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So here’s the deal: The constant focus, the unnatural eye strain, and the information overload\u2014all take a toll on you. The key is to spot the signs before they drag you down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the good news is that Zoom fatigue is easy to recognize and counter!<\/p>\n\n\n The trusty Zoom Exhaustion & Fatigue Scale (ZEF Scale) lists some telltale signs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zoom fatigue can sneak up on you. You think you\u2019re immune but suddenly, your social battery runs out, and before you know it, you\u2019ve lost track of what\u2019s being said on the call\u2014till someone calls out your name and expects you to respond. Believe me, I’ve been there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But what causes it? There are several things to blame: <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re all aware that video calls require a lot of mental effort. You’re not just listening; you’re also actively processing visual cues, facial expressions, and body language<\/strong>. This constant cognitive strain can overload your working memory and lead to difficulty concentrating and retaining information<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike natural conversations where our gaze wanders freely, on Zoom calls, we’re locked in intense, close-up eye contact<\/strong>. Talk about mental exhaustion!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Staring at screens for hours doesn’t help either. It strains our eyes, contributes to eye irritation, triggers headaches, and disrupts sleep with all that blue light <\/p>\n\n\n\n Being on camera can lead to self-consciousness<\/strong>. We\u2019re often overly critical of ourselves, and having to examine our own (imperfect) appearance and compare it to that of better-dressed or better-prepared colleagues can be tough. The Spotlight Effect, where we feel constantly scrutinized,<\/strong> adds another layer of mental fatigue<\/p>\n\n\n\n I remember in-person meetings where we could shift in our seats, stretch our legs, and walk around in a conference room. Zoom meetings often confine us to a chair,<\/strong> restricting movement and making us stiff and uncomfortable. This lack of physical release contributes to feeling drained<\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s also the challenge of missing subtle nonverbal cues<\/strong> we pick up on in face-to-face meetings. We often end up feeling hypervigilant, trying to overcompensate for the lack of a furrowed brow or a small smile<\/p>\n\n\n\n How could we forget the frustration of technical glitches?<\/strong> Screen sharing<\/a> gone wrong, dropped connections, communication lag\u2014all these disrupt the flow of a meeting and leave us feeling even more drained<\/p>\n\n\n\n But enough about the woes of Zoom! We\u2019re now ready to make virtual meetings less taxing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s look at remedies and helpful Zoom tips<\/a> that aided me in my battle against ‘Zoom fatigue’ and made me feel energized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are 10 remedies I’ve found helpful in reclaiming my sanity and conquering Zoom fatigue during my virtual workday:<\/p>\n\n\n\n First things first, ditch marathon meetings. Reschedule lengthy Zoom meetings or consider alternative communication methods such as email and async team chats for non-critical discussions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because, honestly, too many traditional meetings can be productivity killers. They force everyone to be available at the same time, regardless of individual schedules or time zones. <\/p>\n\n\n ClickUp\u2019s Chat view<\/a> has been a savior for me in this regard. It lets my team and I respond to messages at our own convenience, catch up on context with dedicated group discussions for specific tasks and projects, and even share important attachments without missing a beat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you must have meetings, prepare a well-defined communication plan<\/a> in advance. It will help set clear expectations and keep everyone on track. It can outline the purpose, agenda, and format of the meeting beforehand so participants can come prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ClickUp Communication Plan Template<\/a> is a robust tool designed to simplify your team\u2019s communication strategy quickly and precisely. It helps you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This template allows teams to reduce the need for back-to-back video meetings. This ensures objectives and updates are conveyed effectively through well-organized channels, possibly reducing the frequency and duration of video calls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover, the template can help you decide when a video call is necessary and when communication can be handled asynchronously via other means. That\u2019s your key to alleviating the stress associated with constant video conferencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Schedule Zoom meetings<\/a> with short breaks or silent gaps. A few minutes to stretch, grab a drink, or simply look away from the screen will improve everyone’s energy levels.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I remember how we did this during our sprint planning call. We spent 6 hours brainstorming, ideating, and executing together in a Zoom meeting. But we broke every 50 minutes for 10 minutes\u2014to grab a cookie, pet our dogs, and practice some long, long exhales.<\/p>\n\n\n My best tip<\/strong>? Keep a reusable water bottle by your side and stay hydrated throughout the day. Dehydration can worsen videoconference fatigue.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n A messy background can be distracting for everyone. Most videoconferencing platforms let you modify your background to a clean, professional setting<\/strong> or blur it all together so the focus is on the conversation, not the clutter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Resist the urge to check emails or social media during calls. Trust me, it actually divides our focus and increases mental strain. Stay present in the meeting for better engagement and less brain fog<\/strong>. It\u2019ll also help you recall key points from the meeting later when you need them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t forget to give yourself time to breathe between consecutive Zoom meetings<\/a>. Schedule a buffer to decompress<\/strong>, take a walk, listen to calming music, or do deep breathing exercises. Avoid back-to-back video calls!<\/p>\n\n\n Pro tip:<\/strong> I use ClickUp\u2019s Calendar View<\/a> to give myself enough breathing room between video calls. And yes, I try to schedule my breaks, too, so I religiously take them.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n Let technology be your friend! Screen recording tools<\/a> free you from note-taking during important discussions so you can review key points later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Screen recorders also allow asynchronous updates, potentially eliminating the need for meetings altogether.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n One tool I strongly recommend is ClickUp Clips<\/a>, one of the many useful tools that ClickUp’s project management platform offers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use this tool to record short screencasts and share them asynchronously with colleagues to review information at their own pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It also lets you share ideas and updates directly within your workflow, saving time and reducing email clutter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s how ClickUp Clips combat Zoom fatigue:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When setting up your video call, position yourself in a well-lit area with a neutral background. Avoid sitting opposite a bright window\u2014eye strain is no fun! <\/p>\n\n\n When feeling extremely overloaded, you can even get up and try taking walking Zoom meetings (and keep your camera off). Walking is shown to boost cognition and reduce the amount of cortisol (stress hormone) in our bloodstream.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n Don’t feel obligated to be in grid view all the time. Experiment!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use speaker view to focus on the current speaker, or hide your own self-view to feel less self-conscious. There’s no shame in this\u2014it helps us stay focused on the conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bonus: <\/em><\/strong>Fun Zoom icebreakers<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sleep and exercise are crucial! It might seem obvious, but they\u2019re often overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prioritize healthy habits outside of work<\/strong>. Regular exercise is a great stress reliever and promotes better sleep. Aim for 7\u20138 hours a night to keep yourself sharp and crush those video calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We can all contribute to a more respectful and engaging video conference environment by maintaining Zoom etiquette<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n On your next Zoom call:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s face it, video conferencing is here to stay. But it doesn’t have to be draining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, effective meetings go beyond just technology. We must facilitate a positive and respectful meeting environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing and engaging in the discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ClickUp can help you reduce unnecessary zooming. ClickUp Clips helps you share updates and ideas just as effectively, freeing you and your colleagues from lengthy meetings and Zoom fatigue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, sign up, as I did, and join the fight against Zoom fatigue! <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nUnderstanding Zoom Fatigue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Signs of Zoom burnout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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What Causes Zoom Fatigue?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cognitive load<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unnatural, prolonged eye contact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Excessive screen exposure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Spotlight Effect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Restricted mobility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hypervigilance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tech troubles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10 Zoom Fatigue Remedies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Shorter, sharper meetings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"ClickUp](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/image-146.png\")
![\"Plan](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/image-147.png\")
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2. Take a break<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Declutter your background<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Minimize multitasking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Post-meeting wind-down<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"ClickUp](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-335.png\")
6. Use screen recording tools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"ClickUp](\"https:\/\/clickup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/image-18.gif\")
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7. Strategic seating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Optimize your view<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Prioritize sleep and exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Promote a positive environment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Beat Zoom Fatigue: Reclaim Focus and Time with ClickUp <\/h2>\n\n\n\n