MIAMI VALLEY — Stanford University researchers are finding that many people are getting “Zoom fatigue” since the COVID pandemic made virtual communication a must.
Four main contributors of this Zoom fatigue are excessive close-up eye contact, less ability to move around during long-calls, being forced to interpret non-verbal cues during video chats, and seeing yourself on screen for hours, said Jeremy Bailenson, communication professor at Stanford University.
“If someone was following you around your place of work with a mirror that would make no sense at all,” he said.
“Yet for video conferences, we’re showing our real-time image constantly. And what the research shows is that this is fatiguing. This is draining, and it causes us to get stressed and have negative effect over time.”
Bailenson recommends hiding your screen on a video conference so the focus is on the person talking, not you. He also reminds people that not every call needs to be on camera.
“What I like to do is set norms in the meetings that we’re in. I would say half of my meetings, everybody knows you go in with the video off, and you just have a voice conversation,” he said.
A mother, healthcare professional, and PhD student, Kristen Wymer spends about eight to 12 hours a day on the computer.
Wymer said all that time on looking at a screen is giving her migraines, back pain, and too much awareness of herself.
“I hate seeing myself on camera,” she said.
“I think as women in general, we tend to be a little bit harsher on our outwardly appearance.”
Wymer spends more time with her family to get away from screens.
“We take a drive and just wonder out in the country and see the sunset. For us, that’s been helpful to have that kind of different family time.”
Stanford University researchers say that there are other symptoms and signs of Zoom related fatigue which include insomnia, forgetfulness, and in some cases irritability and tension in relationships with fellow co-workers.