Researched and written by Mckenna Vaughan for Effective Natural Products
Can you get fatigue from too much video conferencing?
Public transportation. Hair salons. Schools. All closed because of the widely spread pandemic commonly known as the coronavirus. Social distancing is another factor of the virus. We have to stay 6 feet apart from people, and we are solving this problem with various types of video communication. Facetime, Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts - you name it; you're likely using it to chat with friends and family. Many jobs are also using this method of communication for meetings. As a result many people get video conference fatigue.
Some people have multiple meetings and video chats a day, and this can exhaust the human body and brain much faster than a conversation in person. There is also more pressure to be responsive and to look good on camera so it takes more mental effort, which makes us tired, faster.
In addition to all this, it is actually harder for the brain to understand the emotions of the other people on the video call because you can’t see their body language or facial expressions as well as you can when you are talking in person.
Furthermore, 
in a video chat, especially when using gallery or grid mode, it throws off the brain by giving it multiple things to focus on and confusing you on who is speaking. It is like trying to play basketball and read at the same time, your brain is trying to multitask but fails to navigate the group video chat.
Gianpiero Petriglieri, Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD, explains that video conferences make us more exhausted because we feel like we are on camera, we always have to look and act like you are on television. He explains that being on a large video call “is like you're watching television and television is watching you” and he also explains that being on a group call can diminish your sense of power from being an individual.
Finally, we all know that being on a screen for too many hours, and too close to bedtime, can impact your circadian rhythm making it challenging to stay or fall asleep.
Tips to prevent Video Conference - or Zoom Fatigue:
So how do we combat this given it is the world many of us will live in for some time - and maybe indefinitely. Here are some things you can do to help reduce the fatigue from video chat and video conferencing:
- Use the camera as little as possible
- Take time to check in with people via an old-school phone call before diving into work
- Write a an email instead of getting on a video call
- Avoid multitasking while on video conference calls - well really always
- Take breaks throughout the day and during meetings that go on for more than an hour
- Limit screen time outside of what is required for work and school as much as possible
- Take moments to look away from the computer - preferably out a window if you can - and take a deep breath.
In addition to these tips you can implement easily, if you’re still feeling fatigue there are some natural supplements that can help alleviate symptoms of “Zoom fatigue”:
- Enhanced Focus - Calms overactive nerves and enhances mood and focus. Great for addressing brain fog.
- Super B Complex - Enhances the production of acetylcholine which supports memory and brain function also aiding in stress response. B vitamins also help boost the immune system - and who doesn’t need that right now?
- Restorative Slumber - Fortified with melatonin, jujube and inositol, our liquid blend works fast in providing a calming effect to your nervous system for a restorative night of rest.
- Mood Boost - This supplement was formulated specifically to increase mental focus and improve mood overall.
- Peak Vision - Fortified with bilberry, niacin and vitamin C this complete blend addresses the many factors putting your clear vision at risk - like too much screen time.
- Smart Multi - Looking for an all-in-one? This amazing multi vitamin provides a complete source of nutrients to support cardiovascular health, boost your immune system, and promote youthful skin and eye health.
It’s so important not to discount the effects a changed routine can have on our mental and physical health. Now, more than ever, it’s imperative that we all do what we can to become our healthiest selves. Please stay safe and well and reach out if there’s anything we can do to help you maintain your wellness.