Zoom meetings – the not-so-silent killer of productivity and good vibes. You thought 2024 was going to be your year, but here you are, once again trapped in a seemingly endless loop of video calls, all while trying to look professional from the waist up and pretend your cat isn’t doing something unspeakable in the background. If you're wondering why you feel more exhausted after a day of Zoom calls than after an actual marathon, you’re not alone. In fact, you might just be suffering from a classic case of "Zoom fatigue."
So, What’s the Deal with Zoom Fatigue?
For starters, Zoom fatigue isn’t just an excuse to avoid that 4 p.m. “touch base” with Janet from accounting. It’s real, and it's as draining as running a full-blown obstacle course — except the obstacles are trying to decipher if your boss is frowning because your idea is terrible or if they’re just frozen. The root cause? A little thing called "cognitive overload." That's right, your brain has to work overtime to process all those nonverbal cues, pixelated nods, and awkward silences that are the hallmark of video meetings.
And let's be honest, it's not like Zoom is a picnic for your eyeballs either. You're squinting at tiny screens of Brady Bunch-esque faces, trying to gauge if Lisa from HR is silently judging your choice of pajama bottoms. Meanwhile, your computer's camera transforms you into a bizarrely self-conscious individual who has never been more aware of their own facial expressions.
The "Background" Issue: Not Just a Pretty Picture
Let’s talk about backgrounds for a moment. According to recent research, it turns out your choice of Zoom background has a profound impact on your energy levels. But who knew that the serene beach scene you thought was relaxing was actually sapping your will to live?
Apparently, video backgrounds are the worst offenders, causing the most fatigue. That lovely waterfall you thought would calm your coworkers? It’s actually as tiring as listening to Gary from marketing recount his golf game, shot by shot. The constantly moving pixels require your brain to work harder to process what's happening, which means more mental exhaustion. Next in line are blurred backgrounds, which can be just as annoying. A blurred background is like a Magic Eye puzzle, leaving your brain thinking, "What is that thing on his shelf? A trophy? A vase? Is that... a taxidermied ferret?!"
And let's not forget the ultimate "keep it real" option of showing your actual surroundings. Apparently, this one isn't as bad — as long as you're not in your laundry room or on the toilet (yes, we know some of you have been tempted). In fact, real backgrounds that look somewhat neat and tidy might be the least fatiguing because, finally, your brain can take a break from trying to decipher what's going on behind you. Bonus points if you have a plant or two, because nature-themed backgrounds are the MVPs of Zoom calls. Who knew that a ficus could be your savior?
How to Keep Your Sanity and Survive the Zoompocalypse
Since the world refuses to go back to phone calls or, heaven forbid, emails, we're stuck with Zoom for the foreseeable future. Here are some tried and tested tips to avoid becoming a Zoom zombie:
1. Space Out Your Meetings (And Not in the Fun Way)
If your calendar looks like a Tetris game of back-to-back video calls, you’re doing it wrong. Give yourself some breathing room between meetings, even if it’s just 10 minutes to stretch, scream into a pillow, or contemplate your life choices.
2. Set a "Zoom Quota"
Let’s be real, there’s only so much virtual interaction a person can take. Create a cap for how many Zoom calls you’ll endure in a day. Remember, it’s okay to say, “This could have been an email.” It’s a service to humanity.
3. Embrace the Art of the Phone Call
Imagine this: communicating without having to look at someone’s face. I know, revolutionary, right? Sometimes, a good old-fashioned phone call is all you need. It’s a great way to give your eyes and face muscles a break.
4. The 20-20-20 Rule
No, this isn’t a new workout craze. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It’s like taking your eyes on a little vacation without the need for an overpriced plane ticket.
5. Get Creative with Your Background
If you must use a virtual background, make it count! Opt for something funny or lighthearted – think giant cats, outer space, or a "Where's Waldo?" scene where Waldo is actually hiding in your Zoom grid. Who said work meetings couldn't be entertaining?
6. Channel Your Inner Marie Kondo
If you’re going to let people see your real background, make sure it sparks joy (and not horror). Tidy up your space, throw in a plant or two, and voilà – you’ve just become the next Marie Kondo of Zoom calls.
7. "Technical Difficulties"
When all else fails, pretend your connection is unstable. It's the modern equivalent of pretending to lose a cell signal in a tunnel, but more socially acceptable. Use this technique sparingly, or you might become the boy (or girl) who cried Wi-Fi.
Final Thoughts: The Zoom Fatigue Chronicles
Zoom fatigue is the 2024 equivalent of cabin fever, but instead of staring out a window, you're trapped staring at 20 other tiny windows filled with awkward, squinting faces. And while we wait for the day when Zoom meetings are a relic of the past, it's crucial to find ways to cope, laugh about it, and maybe even embrace the absurdity of it all.
So the next time you’re logging into your fourth Zoom meeting of the day, remember this: It’s okay to have a little fun with your background, to take a break, and to give yourself permission to turn off that camera when you just can’t fake one more “interested” expression. After all, we're all just trying to survive this digital circus we call work – one Zoom meeting at a time.
And if anyone asks, you weren’t rolling your eyes, you were just practicing the 20-20-20 rule.