As we all know by now, Zoom fatigue is real. Every person I know who is conducting their work over a video platform day and day out testifies to the strange exhaustion it leaves in its wake.
As best as I can tell from the research that’s out there now, moving our lives to video is tiring for several reasons. The biggest is that our brains are in overdrive trying to make sense of the visual cues they’re getting that don’t have an analog in our 3D world.
People are too close or too far away, their volume varies, we see a group of people in the same “place” with different backgrounds, etc. etc. This all combines to create a situation that’s sort of like when you’re going through a normal day fighting off a cold—you’re preoccupied, and things that would normally be simple are more taxing.
I suggest that you prepare for even ordinary calls on Zoom (or other video platforms) the way you would prepare for a big speech or meeting. Energy is your most precious resource in these circumstances, and in order to create a good experience for your audience you need to bring as much as you can!
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- Conserve your energy beforehand so you can bring it all to the camera.
- Limit your screen time before the meeting or workshop so that you’re not already experiencing Zoom fatigue.
- Have a good meal and drink plenty of water.
- Limit caffeine.
- Turn off the self-view. Watching yourself is distracting, and you would never do it in real life, so it’s very confusing for your brain.
- Set up the space around you to be soothing and pleasant (I like to light a scented candle.)
- Don’t schedule Zoom meetings back to back.
This may also be a good time for the reminder that not all meetings have to be on Zoom. 🙂
