In a recent study published in Technology, Mind and Behavior, psychologist Jeremy Bailenson (a Stanford University Professor) studied the effects of prolonged and frequent video chats and have identified four consequences that contribute to what has commonly become known as "Zoom Fatigue".
The good news? By identifying the problem, he was able to give some advice on how to curb this feeling of video call exhaustion.
1. Excessive Amounts of close-up eye contact
In short, both the amount of eye contact we have and the size of faces we see on screen are unnatural. During regular meetings and conversations, our eyes will wander while we watch the speaker, look around the room, and take notes. In video calls, even if you don't speak, everyone in the monitor seems as if they are looking at you, which causes increased levels of stress. Also, depending on your monitor, the size of faces on screen are also too big, simulating a conversation that is happening too closely.
The Fix: Take Zoom out of full-screen mode, reduce the size of the window, and if you can, use a wireless keyboard to move further away from the screen, allowing you more space to let your eyes wander.
2. Constantly seeing yourself
In the real world, when you're having a conversation with someone, they aren't constantly holding up a mirror so you can always see yourself, so why would you want it to be any different for a video chat? Seeing a reflection of yourself for hours at a time can cause you to be increasingly self-critical.
The Fix: Once you have properly framed yourself in the video, simply use the "hide self-view" button so you only see the people you are talking to.
3. Reduction in usual mobility
When chatting in person or on the phone, conversations allow for a certain amount of freedom to move around, however, with its limited field of view, video calls anchor you in the same spot. “There’s growing research now that says when people are moving, they’re performing better cognitively,” Bailenson said.
The Fix: Think more about the space that you are videoconferencing in. Giving yourself more space using things like a wireless keyboard can give you more flexibility and allow you to do things like doodle or pace.
4. Our cognitive load is much heavier
Experts say that anywhere between 70% to 93% of communication is non-verbal. During video chats, our brain has to work extra hard to interpret gestures and non-verbal cues making both sending receiving these signals harder. In the context of a video chat, a glance sideways can mean something entirely different because someone's child may have just wandered into the room. When sending signals, you often have to emphasize gestures like thumps up or exaggerated head nods.
The Fix: During long meetings, it is recommended you give yourself an "audio break" which means turning off video for a short period and turning yourself away from the screen. This gives you a break from being smothered with gestures that are socially meaningless.
For the next few months at least, video chats aren't going anywhere, but with these easy-to-follow tips, you can limit the effects of "Zoom fatigue" and last a little bit longer in your next meeting before you start to doze off.
Featured image courtesy of The Future of Commerce via the-future-of-commerce.com
