Many of us have spent the last two years communicating via zoom of MSFT teams. We have spent more time connecting with people via digital means than we would have ever imagined possible. Some of the changes that have occurred during to the pandemic will stay around for the long haul. The use of video conferencing to bring remote and hybrid workers together will not go away anytime in the foreseeable future. This trend towards remote work has been codified in many organizational cultures. Because of the heavy adoption of video conferencing software, it is important to learn how to avoid “zoom fatigue.”
Here are some ways to prevent video call fatigue:
- Tech Audit: If you haven’t already invested in a decent camera and ensured your have high speed wi-fi this would be the time to do it. It’s also good to have a decent pair of headsets. Many people are now accustomed to the background distractions from dogs barking to kids yelling. A good set of headphones can help mitigate these distractions.
- Keep it short and sweet: Don’t try to cover too much in one meeting. Small, specific topics are more effective for concise video meetings. Meetings should wrap up prior to people losing their attention.
- Take a screen break: When someone else is presenting or leading the discussion, switch your camera off for a few seconds. Try to stand and stretch a bit to keep your body limber. In addition, be sure to blink your eyes a few times during this break. Eye fatigue is very common because of zoom fatigue.
- Schedule offline time: Give yourself time to recover between video meetings. Try to schedule at least 30 minutes between each call when possible. If not, consider scheduling meetings for 25 minutes so you at least have a 5-minute break prior to the next meeting. This allows for a bathroom break or a coffee refill.
Video conferencing is a relatively new platform for mainstream communication, so it’s natural that there will be a learning curve with it. Even after the pandemic is over it will be here to stay. If we can strike the right balance between, zoom calls can become something to look forward to rather than dread.
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