‘Zoom fatigue’ is a real phenomenon, say researchers, but there are strategies you can use to counteract it.
Sarah Tew / CNET
If you’ve ever felt exhausted after a day of work, and the only physical activity you did was refill your coffee while taking a series of video calls, Stanford researchers have a name for the feeling: ‘Zoom fatigue’. Although the scientists behind the new study, published Feb. 23 in the journal Technology, Mind and Behavior, are quick to point out that it can happen on any video call platform, they now say they have a better idea why Zoom fatigue prevent.
Researchers say that Zoom fatigue boils down to four primary causes: excessive and intense eye contact, constantly watching videos of yourself, the limited mobility of getting stuck at your desk and spending more energy identifying social cues that you will intuitively pick up during personal interactions.
The research addresses each of these areas and offers strategies for weighing them, such as eliminating the video of yourself and placing your desk so you have more room to stretch and move around.
The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.