Are you suffering from video call fatigue?

Have you got to the end of the day and feel absolutely exhausted? Well, it could be the amount of video calling that we’re all doing right now.

According to the BBC being on a video call requires more focus than a face-to-face chat. Video chats mean we need to work harder to process non-verbal cues like facial expressions, the tone and pitch of the voice, and body language; paying more attention to these consumes a lot of energy.

Then there’s the element of being physically on camera, we are very aware of being watched.

Factors related directly to the pandemic then come in to play. There’s the fact that aspects of our lives that used to be separate – work, friends, family – are all now happening in the same space. A lack of downtime after we’ve fulfilled work and family commitments may be another factor in our tiredness. Many of us are continuing with more Zoom hangouts after work with friends and family so it feels like a continuation of work.

So how do we overcome the fatigue?

• Try limiting video calls to only those that are necessary
• It’s OK to keep your camera turned off sometimes
• Try keeping your screen to one side sometimes, rather than head on all of the time
• Try shared files with notes as an alternative to video calls
• Take time to ‘chat’ with the other person before starting a meeting – it’s a good way to reconnect
• Schedule breaks in between video meetings – and move around in between

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