October 22, 2020
What is Zoom fatigue, and why do we experience it?
“Zoom fatigue” refers to the exhaustion students feel after participating in Zoom calls, Google Meets, or other online conferencing platforms for extended periods of time for school.
“We’re spending a lot of mental energy filling in these non-verbal blanks, and it’s using up our mental resources to pay attention, to figure out what we can contribute to the meeting,” Dr. Scott Debb from Norfolk University said. According to an article from Stanford University, not being able to read body language over video communication is mentally taxing.
According to an article from Vox, the more we try to understand the body language of those online, the more depleted we feel; it takes a lot of energy to figure out how people are feeling through a screen because of the lack of the in-person element of being able to fully read body language.
How can I beat Zoom fatigue?
Vanessa Van Edwards, bestselling author, in a Science of People article recommends making sure you take breaks to move throughout long Zoom calls. Getting up to stretch gives your brain a minute to take a breath and refocus. Sitting in front of a screen for hours on end can be draining, so make sure to take a passing period at home to walk around and stretch your legs.
Van Edwards also recommends having a “work outfit” and a “home outfit”. This helps the brain be in school-mode and trains the brain to know it needs to focus and also be aware of when it is no longer work time and can help reduce the Zoom fatigue you feel.
Adjusting to online school is a new task for students and teachers alike. Zoom Fatigue can impact anyone making this adjustment, but follow the tips above to help you keep some of your energy up during the school day.
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