A New Phenomenon, Zoom Fatigue

Today's living dynamics force us to get used to our new normals. Sometimes results of this new normals may not positively affect our lives. Recently, a new concept has entered the literature to examine one of these results: Zoom Fatigue.
 
Along with our new normals, we now organize our meetings, hangouts and even our birthday celebrations over the internet. Although we do not spend time in traffic, are at home and don’t move, we can get up from the computer tired and tense. Zoom Fatigue, a new phenomenon, is a new concept that defines this fatigue and anxiety caused by the excessive use of the applications we use for communication during the day.
 
Researchers from Stanford noted that not only Zoom but also popular video chat platforms have some design flaws that deplete the human mind and body. Stating that there are easy ways to reduce the effects of Zoom Fatigue, the researchers identified some of the causes of Zoom Fatigue as follows:
 
One of these stressful factors is prolonged close eye contact. In a normal conversation, the focus of the listeners is not always on the same point. But in online meetings, everyone is in a position to see everyone at all times. Therefore, it can create stress and pressure on the participants. In addition, depending on the quality of the monitor, the fact that the participants see each other's faces so closely can be perceived by our brain as a violation of private space. This is considered as a factor that can lead to conflict.
 
It can be tiring to constantly see yourself in real time during video chat. It's like in real life someone is always standing next to you with a mirror. Seeing your reflection constantly while making a decision can lead to negative emotions. In addition, when we consider the types of daily conversations, our ability to move is not as limited as in online meetings. The fact that the camera has a field of view in these videos which means that we should always be and stay at the same point. Therefore, these meetings offer us an unnatural environment.
 
Researchers state that in daily face-to-face interaction, nonverbal communication is done naturally by individuals and this communication is interpreted by individuals naturally. However, it can be quite difficult to receive these signals in video calls. Our constant effort to show that you understand, adds another burden to our mind in terms of cognition.
 
Researchers suggest the following solutions to prevent Zoom Fatigue:
 
Make sure your gestures are visible. Place a book or any lift under your computer to keep your computer at eye level which provides ergonomics. Take breaks between meetings where you can get away from the screen. If everyone has the consent, turn the conversation into an audio conference rather than a video meeting. When you are sure that you can show your face properly, use the "Hide yourself" option to avoid mirror effect. Have a little chat at the beginning of your meetings. Solutions like this might loosen our fatigue at least a little.