Do you suffer from Zoom-Fatigue? What do you do about it?

Question

Do you also feel zoom-fatigue after your workday?

- feeling more exhausted, drained and physically tired at the end of the day
- strain on the eyes
- feeling isolated 
- a lack of personal connection

How would you describe it? Give me your tips and remedies!

Gabe Perez · Accepted Answer

I try to have my blue-lens glasses and the blue light filters on my computer active for long calls. I also have a stand that raises my computer so I look straight or slightly up to help relieve strain (allows me to take calls standing as well).

WATER - drink water and keep hydrated. Staring at the screen also dehydrates your body (eyes), so drinking water will help you feel more energetic.

For personal connection, if you can, go for a walk, meet the neighbors, visit a local shop during your breaks. Just a friendly smile can go a long way.

Fritz Brumder · Answer

Changing up the tools that you use can be helpful. I use a variety of video chat apps for specific interactions. They all feel a little different and create a different connection with others.

Sam Bauer · Answer

@katrin_kaurov1 It sounds perhaps a bit weird, but we are designing our conference-tool in a way that you can participate in a meeting even while running, hiking... as as long as you have connection somehow. We try to turn the idea around in that way that your brain is presumably more productive and innovative when it obtains holistic signals from nature instead of sitting for hours every day in front of computer screen captured in an (home/)office. The idea is to give people the opportunity to move while working, to free up their movement from schedule restrictions. So that nano-balancing of work and life becomes possible and a more integrated lifestyle evolves. I know, this also bears the dangers of overwork... perhaps a question of enhanced self-responsibility? I'm super excited to see the impact once we are out.

Sarah Jordi · Answer

My team and I are working on an Audio platform (still in Beta) for that exact reason. Zoom fatigue is real and while video communication can be great and very useful, it is not always necessary. People don't always want to be watched and at least for me, it is sometimes also annoying to always make sure that I look "good/presentable", that my background is alright, that my posture is upright and that I join from an acceptable location.

How we deal with this as a small team: 
- Maximum one video call per day 
- Limit calls to 15 or 30 minutes (Rarely ever do things need to be discussed for longer than 30min)
- We encourage everyone to do certain calls while on a walk, only turning on audio. No video. (For conversations that don't require everyone staring at a screen)
- We have meeting-free mornings or full days to give everyone the opportunity to focus on work
- For creative discussions we sometimes meet with video at lunch time and everyone eats and discusses

Yep, that's about it I guess. :)

Sam Bauer · Answer

Hey @fritzly and @lluis_m_ventura we should combine our powers for an async-first-guild - at the moment we are weak and fresh, but this will change with our success - zipcan.com and comeet.me are cool, and we could combine our powers

Sam Bauer · Answer

@fritzly @lluis_m_ventura @timz_flowers cool, I'm in - how do we organize?

Sam Bauer · Answer

@fritzly @lluis_m_ventura yes, will do - I'm always wondering if DM in PH is possible and if not why is that?

Sam Bauer · Answer

Hi @lluis_m_ventura, cool - I think it's a huge market - enough space for more than one supplier, welcome!!

Fritz Brumder · Answer

@fritzly @lluis_m_ventura @timz_flowers Interesting to connect the 3 of us. We have started on the sync video side but do have a vision for a-sync we can brainstorm around. Co-blogging is a good place to start for sure. Let's connect directly. fbrumder[at]gmail

Lauren Proctor · Answer

I absolutely despise the time I spend in meetings.

Here's what I do:

- For my own team, I started hosted meetings around the campfire in Red Dead Redemption. When Snowman releases Skate City we're going to explore moving there for meetings.
- Started limiting meetings to 30 minutes (as much as possible)
- Depending on my relationship with clients, I started full on moving around during the video. For example, I might say, "I think better when I stand up and walk around. Would you mind if we talk while I walk a bit?" Most of the time the person responds with something like, "Oh my gosh. Yes! I'm going to do the same!" One of my clients even started lifting weights during our calls.

There's nothing worse than feeling stuck on Zoom. Hope you find freedom (whatever it looks like).

Lluís Ventura · Answer

@fritzly @lluis_m_ventura @timz_flowers Sure thing! Happy to do something together. At least in terms of async-first movement. Coblogging can be a good start!

Aaron O'Leary · Answer

I think it's about the lead up more than anything.

- Take regular breaks throughout the day
-Exercise 
-Keep well fed

etc, all things that help with you staying fit and able throughout the day should keep zoom fatigue down.

Mohamed Mezian · Answer

Zoom meetings should be kept short and efficient. As a general rule, you should try avoiding anything beyond 1 hour meetings.

Mason Hipp · Answer

Zoom fatigue is definitely something I've experienced and have had to work on with my whole team. I think a lot of the suggestions here have been spot on:

- take care of yourself surrounding your calls; eat, sleep, and move
 - space out your calls and avoid letting them run long
 - make sure your setup is comfortable and ergonomic
 - mix up your tools, try to be async some of the time
 - add structure to calls: try to engage everyone and allow personal interaction

The last point is something I've been really trying to figure out, to the point that I started building a new product around it (https://slideswith.com). I think a lot of video calls turn into something that feels very unnatural and very tiring (e.g. just zoning out on mute, or not sure how or when to talk, or unable to hear any one person, etc) and by adding some structure around your call you can specifically engage people and build guide rails around having good conversation. If anyone knows other tools that can help with this I'd love to hear about them.

Lluís Ventura · Answer

@fritzly @lluis_m_ventura @timz_flowers Sam, Fritz, send me an email to llventura at comeet.me and let's have a discussion in private

Do you suffer from Zoom-Fatigue? What do you do about it?

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