“Zoom fatigue” is a real phenomenon, say the researchers, but there are strategies you can use to combat it.
Sarah Tew / CNET
If you’ve ever felt totally drained after a day at work where the only physical activity you did was replenishing your coffee during a series of video calls, Stanford researchers now have a name for that feeling: “zoom fatigue”. Although the scientists behind the new study, published on February 23 in the journal Technology, Mind and Behavior, are quick to point out that this can happen on any video call platform, they now say they have a better idea of the reason for Zoom’s fatigue. .
Researchers say zoom fatigue is reduced to four main causes: excessive and intense eye contact, constantly watching videos of yourself, limited mobility of being stuck at your desk and more energy spent identifying social cues that you intuitively captured in person interactions.
The research continues by addressing each of these areas and offering strategies to counterbalance them, such as turning off the video from yourself and positioning your table so that you have more space to stretch and move around.
The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended for medical or health advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health goals.