Beating Zoom Fatigue!
Tips for Beating Zoom Fatigue
Virtual learning and remote work have skyrocketed due to the ongoing pandemic.
Suddenly we’re spending a lot more time completing education requirements online.
This new normal has led to a new turn of phrase: Zoom fatigue. It refers to the experience of feeling tired, overwhelmed, anxious, or generally drained by frequent calls and online meetings, and we're all feeling it. The term takes its name from Zoom, but it can occur on any video-conferencing platform after enough regular use.But you can adapt to these conditions by implementing practices that keep you alert, attentive, and well-rested. If Zoom fatigue sounds familiar to you, check out our tips for overcoming it below
Avoid Multitasking.
It might be tempting to do several things at once during Zoom meetings, but you probably aren't as good at multitasking as you think. Multitasking can be hard to resist, especially during busy days with multiple calls or meetings, but there is a reason why focusing on the task at hand is one of the top tips for online learning. Removing distractions will have you more present and effective and less fatigued.
Schedule Breaks:
Online learning can make it difficult to break your day into manageable segments. Back-to-back Zoom meetings and other consecutive tasks can contribute to fatigue and exhaustion. Before the recent shift to remote learning, walking to attend classes in person created natural and necessary breaks in the day. Replicating those breaks in your online environment can help you avoid days that feel like one long, unvaried task. Try to plan short breaks in between classes. Stand up, stretch your legs, rest your eyes, or even take a short walk at recess or lunch, if you're able.
Turn Off Self-view:
Regular Zoom use can create interesting habits, such as constantly staring at yourself on screen. Knowing that your video is broadcast to others can heighten your awareness of being seen, and that awareness can induce anxiety and make it difficult to focus. It can also be exhausting. It's important to make sure your appearance and background look professional, but you don't need to go overboard. Andrew Franklin, a cyberpsychologist at Norfolk State University, calls this phenomenon the "imaginary audience." He says that knowing we are viewable on Zoom can lead us to assume that everyone is paying close attention to every move we make. This isn't really true, of course: Other participants are probably thinking the same thing about their self-views! To help reduce your anxiety, turn off your self-view. You'll have an easier time focusing on your work.
Use the 20-20-20 Rule for Your Eyes:
Zoom calls and other online learning components that require computer use can lead to increased eye strain — as can any screen-based device. Because the rigors of online learning often mean more screen time, it's important to make sure your eyes get the rest they need. For every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, take 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet away. If you find yourself suffering from tired eyes, try the 20-20-20 rule: For every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, take 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet away. Developed by an optometrist in California, this practice can help relax the eye muscles. Blue light reduction tools can also help protect your vision and contribute to healthy sleep habit.
Meditation:
Incorporating meditation into your daily routine can help reduce anxiety and stress. Not only is this a relaxing practice, but it also gives you some time away from virtual stimulation after a long day of zoom classes and meetings.
Balanced eating:
A balanced diet is important for your body to operate effectively. Eating healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, provides your body with the nutrients it needs to fight fatigue.
Developing healthy sleep routines:
Much like having a balanced diet, having a healthy sleep routine is essential to optimal health and can help reduce overall fatigue. Developing a consistent sleep routine can increase concentration and productivity, which helps improve your performance in the virtual classroom.