Saunto
Your health matters

Saunto

Combat Zoom Fatigue: Tips to Reduce Mental and Physical Strain of Video Conferencing

disinterested female suffering from Zoom fatigue
Shutterstock

Zoom fatigue is a phenomenon that has become all too familiar to many of us during the pandemic. Zoom fatigue refers to the feelings of exhaustion and burnout that can be caused by using video conferencing for long periods of time. It can be caused by the physical and emotional strain of constantly being “on” for long periods of time, as well as the lack of physical interaction with others. Zoom fatigue is a real issue that can have an effect on our productivity, mental health, and overall wellbeing. The physical strain of Zoom fatigue is caused by long periods of sitting in one place and staring at a screen. This can cause fatigue, headaches, eye strain, and even back and neck aches. It also can be hard to stay focused and engaged when you’re not getting any physical interaction with the other people on the call. This can lead to increased stress levels and a lack of concentration. The emotional strain of Zoom fatigue is caused by the lack of face-to- face interaction and the feeling of being isolated. Not being able to physically connect with others can cause feelings of loneliness and isolation. It can also be difficult to stay engaged and focused when you’re not getting any physical feedback from the other people on the call. This can lead to feelings of frustration and even burnout. It’s important to be aware of the signs of Zoom fatigue and take steps to counter it. Here are some tips for how to cope with Zoom fatigue:

1. Take regular breaks: It’s important to take regular breaks from video conferencing to give your eyes and body a break. Take a few minutes to stand up, stretch, and move around. 2. Limit screen time: Too much screen time can add to the physical strain of Zoom fatigue. Try to limit the amount of time you spend on video conferencing. 3. Connect with others: Make sure to take time throughout the day to connect with friends and family. This can help reduce the feeling of isolation and give you a much-needed break from video conferencing. 4. Take care of yourself: Make sure to take time to do things that make you feel good, like exercise, yoga, or meditating. This can help reduce stress levels and give you the energy to stay focused during video calls. 5. Get enough sleep: Make sure to get enough sleep so that you can stay focused and alert during video calls. Zoom fatigue is a real issue, and it’s important to be aware of the signs and to take steps to counter it. Remember to take regular breaks, limit screen time, connect with others, take care of yourself, and get enough sleep. If we all take the time to look out for one another, we can reduce the effects of Zoom fatigue and stay productive and healthy during this difficult time.

Reasons video calls leave you feeling drained

Video calls have become a way of life due to the pandemic, but they can leave us feeling drained when we’re done. There are several reasons for this. First, video calls can be emotionally draining. During a video call, we’re constantly trying to balance between paying attention to the content of the conversation and trying to read the non-verbal cues of the other person. This can be incredibly taxing, as we’re trying to take in both sides of the conversation. We’re also constantly trying to gauge the other person’s reaction and adjust our own accordingly. Second, video calls can be physically draining. We may be sitting in one place for an extended period of time, straining our neck and back muscles. We may also be moving back and forth, trying to keep up with the conversation and focus on the other person’s face. Third, video calls can be cognitively draining. We’re constantly processing and analyzing the conversation, trying to keep up with what’s being said. We may also be trying to think of the right thing to say at the right time, as well as multitasking with other tasks such as taking notes or checking emails. All of this requires a great deal of mental energy. Fourth, video calls can be socially draining. We may be trying to appear engaged and interested in the conversation, but this can often be a lot of work. We may also be feeling self-conscious about how we look on camera and trying to be aware of our body language. Finally, video calls can be technologically draining. We may be dealing with technical issues such as poor sound quality, lagging video, or frozen screens. This can be very frustrating and take a toll on our patience. In short, video calls can be incredibly draining. We’re constantly trying to juggle multiple things at once, from trying to maintain a good conversation to dealing with technical issues. This can be very tiring, both mentally and physically. If you find yourself feeling drained after video calls, it’s important to take a break and give yourself some time to rest and recharge.


Recommended


NEXT UP

Protect Your Knees and Keep Squatting - Here's How!

Woman doing squats in living room
Shutterstock

If you’re a gym-goer or an athlete, you’ve probably heard the advice to include squats in your workout routine. Squats are a great exercise to improve strength, muscular endurance, and power in your legs and hips. But if you find that squats are hurting your knees, it’s important to take steps to protect your joints and ensure that you can continue to lead an active lifestyle. The most important thing to do if squats hurt your knees is to identify the cause of the pain. It’s possible that the cause of your knee pain is simply muscular tightness or weakness that can be addressed with stretching and strengthening exercises. If this is the case, you can continue to do squats but focus on proper form and technique. If the cause of the pain is more structural, it’s important to seek help from a physical therapist or other health professional. It’s likely that you’ll need to modify your squat form to protect your knees. This could include widening your stance, lowering your depth, and using a wider grip on the barbell. You might also need to take time off from squatting while you focus on strengthening other muscles to take the strain off your knees. You may also need to work on improving your mobility and flexibility. This could include adding dynamic stretches or foam rolling before you begin your workout. It’s also important to warm up properly before you begin squats. This could include a light jog, air squats, and leg swings. If you’ve tried all of the above steps and you’re still experiencing knee pain, it may be time to look for alternative exercises. While squats are a great exercise to build strength and power in your legs, there are plenty of other exercises that can provide similar benefits without putting strain on your knees. Lunges, step-ups, and wall squats are all great alternatives to traditional back squats. You can also try using a stability ball to perform bodyweight squats or using resistance bands for assisted squats. If squats hurt your knees, it’s important to take action to protect your joints and ensure that you can continue to lead an active lifestyle. Identify the cause of the pain, modify your form, and focus on improving your mobility and flexibility. If all else fails, look for alternative exercises that will still give you the strength and power benefits of squats without the strain on your knees.

Your ankles could be to blame for painful squats

Squats are a staple of any good workout routine. They help build strength, flexibility, and balance. But for some people, squats can be extremely painful. If this is the case for you, then your ankles could be to blame. Ankles are the foundation of any squatting movement. Poor ankle mobility can lead to a number of issues, including pain. If you’re having pain while squatting, then it’s important to consider the role that your ankles may be playing in the discomfort. If your ankles are stiff, then it can be difficult to reach a full range of motion when you squat. When you are unable to reach a full range of motion, it can lead to strain on the muscles and joints in your legs, hips, and lower back. This can be the cause of pain. Stiff ankles can also cause the feet to turn out when squatting. This can put extra stress on the knees, which can lead to pain. It can also cause the lower back to round, which can lead to lower back pain. If you’re having pain while squatting, then it’s important to take the time to assess your ankle mobility. You can do this by doing a simple ankle mobility test. To do this, stand with your feet together and then raise your toes up off the ground. If you’re unable to do this without straining, then your ankles may be too stiff. If your ankle mobility is limited, then there are a few things you can do to improve it. The first is to do ankle mobility exercises. These exercises can help to increase the range of motion in your ankles, which can help reduce pain. Another option is to wear ankle supports during your workouts. These supports can provide extra stability and help to keep your ankles in the correct position. Finally, it’s important to make sure that your form is correct when you squat. Make sure your toes are pointed straight ahead, your knees are tracking over your toes, and your chest is up. This will help to ensure that you are getting the most out of your squats and not putting unnecessary stress on your ankles. In short, your ankles could be to blame for painful squats. If you’re experiencing pain, it’s important to assess your ankle mobility and take steps to improve it. Doing so can help to reduce pain and ensure that you are getting the most out of your squats.


Shutterstock