At this point in the year, First Workings’ college alumni are finishing up finals while our high school alumni are submitting college applications. All of our alumni are entering their much deserved winter breaks after online learning.
Zoom Fatigue is a term for exhaustion from video calls, meetings, and increased screen time. The concept is a relatively new idea, developing after many moved to a remote work setting amid the pandemic.
Winter break is a wonderful time to reflect and prepare for a successful second semester. Check out First Workings’ tips on how to combat Zoom Fatigue, especially as many of you are continuing school virtually at the start of 2021.
1. Change Up Your Environment
A change of scenery when working on your device can help you feel more refreshed and trick your mind that you are in a new space. Even if it means moving to a different corner in the same room, it can feel like a new office environment. Always consider good lighting when thinking about spaces as that can help us feel more alert!
2. Hide Self-View
In-person meetings may feel less draining as you cannot see yourself how others do and you don’t feel that you’re always “on”. Actively listening to others while overthinking how you look and sound can be exhausting. To minimize this feeling, turn on your camera, conduct a quick professional check with lighting and your background, and then hide self-view.
3. Avoid Multitasking
Research shows that attempting to do multiple tasks at once impacts our performance. It’s tempting to kill time on video calls by working on other responsibilities, but our work will improve if we are present on the video call. Slow down and realize that the other work can wait.
4. Schedule Screen-Free Time
Designate some of your personal time to be screen-free. It’s easy to go from working a full day to wanting to relax on our phones or by watching television. Take a break from screens altogether and find other creative ways to decompress.
5. Don’t Default to Video Calls
Meeting with a professor for office hours? Scheduling a meeting for an upcoming group project? Suggest a phone call or a group text message instead! Although, it has become natural that every meeting is a virtual one, it doesn’t have to be the only source of connecting with people. Those who you are meeting with will appreciate your suggestion!
6. Make Time for Fresh Air and Movement
It’s easy to look at the time and realize that it’s already 4pm and you have yet to go outside. Breathing fresh air and setting time aside to move after sitting for longer periods of time can be exact simulation we need. Set a goal to get outside, even if it’s a walk around the block, for a certain amount of time each day. Fresh air and vitamin D can be our quick source to recharge after significant screen time.