When it was first developed, video conferencing was such a novel use of technology, a dynamic medium uniting people together across departments, companies, and even time zones.
Yet, the drawbacks of video conferencing are slowly starting to outweigh its advantages. Virtual meetings that were once exalted for keeping us connected, informed, and engaged are now viewed by many as a growing source of pain, frustration, and contempt. But why?
On the surface, itâs easy to dismiss just how taxing a Zoom meeting can actually be. After all, itâs refreshing to participate in a video conference from the comfort of home or to sleep in knowing you can join your 8:30 a.m. sync at the last minute.
Nonetheless, spending so much time in video chats can take its toll. The following are some of the negative effects of video conferencing (and the strategies to overcome them).
Screen exhaustion is a real problem
When your days are filled with back-to-back Zoom meetings, constant emails, and all the other remote-work tasks that tie you to your laptop, eye strain becomes a risk. Itâs often one of the more notable (and common) effects of virtual meetings vs face-to-face meetings.
The Vision Council estimates 59% of American adults have experienced the symptoms of eye strain after just two hours of digital-device use. Think back to when youâve felt these symptoms:
- Burning or itching sensation
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Bouts of blurred or double vision
- More difficulty with concentrating
Digital eye strain can also cause headaches and soreness in the neck and shoulders. If you happen to use multiple screens at a time, your likelihood of suffering from digital eye strain only increases.Â
To prevent the onset of screen exhaustion, here are some tips:
- Always position yourself at an armâs distance from the laptop screen.
- Take breaks where you actually step away from using any digital devices.
- Wear blue light blocking glasses, those that absorb 90% to 99% of blue light.
- Rather than relying on screens, use pen and paper to observe and take notes.
However, thereâs more to Zoom fatigue than meets the eye. As everyone knowsâŠ
Thereâs also the physical exhaustionÂ
Ironically enough, video conferencing often involves a greater degree of physicality than we might experience in the span of a comparable in-person meeting with our co-workers.Â
But itâs easy to see why. If you want to be seen as an active meeting participant, thereâs an underlying expectation to keep your camera settings (and your smiling face) on. By showing up as an avatar, you may worry about appearing absent or indifferent, even if your mic is on, youâre actively involved, and youâre giving your full attention to the discussion.
Despite these concerns, no one should feel obligated to always appear on camera. Itâs only natural to give your body (and mind) a break from performing in front of a screen.
For those times you are on camera, you can avoid feeling self-conscious by:
- Taking time to adjust your video settings and camera position beforehand
- Ensuring the lighting in your room (and your micâs sound quality) are good
- Removing anything thatâs embarrassing or distracting from cameraâs view
When it comes to physical exhaustion, the sheer number of video conferences alone is enough to prompt video conferencing fatigue. Even before COVID-19, studies suggest that American workers held roughly 11 million video conferences a day, averaging between 31 to 60 minutes each.Â
Itâs even worse when you realize only 37% of U.S. meetings use agendasâmaking you wonder how effective these meetings even are.
Whenever you can, schedule fewer (and possibly shorter) Zoom meetings. At the very least, give yourself time for breaks in between. You can also reduce physical exhaustion by ignoring email and notifications and shutting down other applications to avoid excessive multitasking during video chat.
