The next time you’re on a video chat, close any tabs or programs that might distract you (e.g. Researchers at Stanford found that people who multitask can’t remember things as well as their more singularly focused peers.
Because you have to turn certain parts of your brain off and on for different types of work, switching between tasks can cost you as much as 40 percent of your productive time. It’s easy to think that you can use the opportunity to do more in less time, but research shows that trying to do multiple things at once cuts into performance. We have five research-based tips that can help make video calls less exhausting. If this all sounds like bad news, don’t despair. Without the visual breaks we need to refocus, our brains grow fatigued. Not to mention, most of us are also staring at a small window of ourselves, making us hyper-aware of every wrinkle, expression, and how it might be interpreted. On a video call, because we are all sitting in different homes, if we turn to look out the window, we worry it might seem like we’re not paying attention. In person, we are able to use our peripheral vision to glance out the window or look at others in the room. This is because having to engage in a “constant gaze” makes us uncomfortable - and tired. But, in real life, how often do you stand within three feet of a colleague and stare at their face? Probably never. On a video call the only way to show we’re paying attention is to look at the camera. For those who don’t have a private space to work, it is especially challenging.įinally, “Zoom fatigue” stems from how we process information over video. We’re also continuously finding polite new ways to ask our loved ones not to disturb us, or tuning them out as they army crawl across the floor to grab their headphones off the dining table. We’re no longer just dialing into one or two virtual meetings. Except, of course, we don’t end up doing much listening at all when we’re distracted. Adding fuel to the fire is many of our work-from-home situations. We’ve all done it: decided that, why yes, we absolutely can listen intently, check our email, text a friend, and post a smiley face on Slack within the same thirty seconds. The problem isn’t helped by the fact that video calls make it easier than ever to lose focus. During a video call, however, it’s impossible to do this unless you use the private chat feature or awkwardly try to find a moment to unmute and ask a colleague to repeat themselves. Think of it this way: when you’re sitting in a conference room, you can rely on whispered side exchanges to catch you up if you get distracted or answer quick, clarifying questions. In part, it’s because they force us to focus more intently on conversations in order to absorb information. Why do we find video calls so draining? There are a few reasons. Over the past few weeks, mentions of “Zoom fatigue” have popped up more and more on social media, and Google searches for the same phrase have steadily increased since early March. If you’re finding that you’re more exhausted at the end of your workday than you used to be, you’re not alone. To get all of HBR’s content delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Daily Alert newsletter.
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In these difficult times, we’ve made a number of our coronavirus articles free for all readers. Especially in situations where you’re communicating with people outside of your organization, don’t feel obligated to send a Zoom link. Finally, check your calendar for the next few days to see if there are any conversations you could have over Slack or email instead. Second, take mini breaks during longer calls by minimizing the video, moving it to behind your open applications, or just looking away from your computer now and then. It may be tempting to get other work done on a video call, but witching between tasks can cost you as much as 40 percent of your productive time. The next time you’re on a video chat, close any tabs or programs that might distract you, put your phone away, and stay present. To make video calls less exhausting for yourself, try using a few research-based tips.įirst, avoid multitasking. They also require us to stare directly at a screen for minutes at a time without any visual or mental break, which is tiring.
Why do we find video calls so draining? In part, it’s because they force us to focus more intently on conversations in order to absorb information.