Online communication fatigue is a recent phenomenon that affects almost all age groups that use technology for communication daily.
“Online fatigue” or “virtual fatigue” refers to the tiredness and exhaustion caused by the excessive use of virtual communication tools for sharing ideas and information and addressing concerns.
A recent article in The New York Times reported that in 2020, daily Zoom meeting participants increased from 10 million to over 300 million, indicating the growing necessity of using virtual communication tools like Zoom. In addition, a LinkedIn poll conducted by Jacob Morgan, in which 2,800 respondents participated, revealed that 37% of them spend 2 to 4 hours attending online meetings daily. In contrast, 28% spend five to seven hours a day. 19% of respondents said they participate in virtual sessions for one to two hours daily, and 16% have lost count.
Online communication tools have been vital in keeping many companies afloat during the coronavirus pandemic and continue to be widely used even in on-site companies. However, the routine use of these tools can lead to fatigue, which is becoming an increasingly prevalent problem.
This article will discuss some techniques that can help you face the virtual fatigue problem and stay productive and energized while working.
Symptoms Of Online Communication Fatigue
Fatigue from online communication is no different from regular fatigue, which manifests through low energy levels, reluctance, low concentration, and defocus. The only difference is that it can arise due to the many online meetings held, especially in companies that include remote teams.
Healthline article outlines that while virtual communication fatigue manifests as regular fatigue, online one can contribute to burnout. And when that happens, balancing work and personal stuff becomes a real struggle.
Additional common symptoms employees may experience:
- Experiencing dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Dealing with low energy and concentration levels.
- Having trouble thinking, speaking, or making decisions.
- Feeling more emotional than usual.
What Are The Causes Of Virtual Communication Fatigue?
In addition to the obvious factor of relying heavily on communication tools throughout the day, various physical and emotional elements can contribute to the fatigue experienced during virtual interactions with colleagues through conference tools.
Communication fatigue can be caused by various factors, including nonverbal communication, the need to process multiple faces on a screen during video calls, physical stress, distractions from the real world during virtual meetings, prolonged sitting during calls, and the intense focus required during online meetings.
These factors can affect employees, leading to exhaustion and reduced productivity.
Practices To Reduce Virtual Meeting Fatigue
- Keep it Short and Sweet: During video calls, keep the meeting brief and informative to avoid feeling stuck.
- Set Clear Objectives: Clearly outlining the meeting agenda and goals helps keep everyone engaged and on track.
- Allow Breaks: Make time for breaks between meetings. It’s important to give your brain some downtime, especially when bouncing between virtual rooms.
- Encourage Movement: Sitting for hours can be draining. Stand up, stretch, or walk briefly during breaks. In addition, you can use standing desks that have proven to be a great way to ease the discomfort in your neck and back.
- Use video Wisely: Not every meeting requires video. Consider going for audio-only calls when appropriate. Not worrying about how you look on camera can be a relief.
- Mindful Scheduling: Consider time zones and personal schedules to avoid conflicts when scheduling virtual meetings.
- Variety in Content: Mix up the format of your meetings. Don’t just stick to presentations; include brainstorming sessions, workshops, or guest speakers to keep things interesting.
- Follow Up Efficiently: After the meeting, provide clear action items and follow up with concise meeting notes to ensure everyone is on the same page and reduce the need for additional sessions.
- Join only mandatory meetings: Join only those meetings where your input is required. If your impact is minimal, request the organizer to contact you via Slack or Teams in real time for matters requiring your feedback. Alternatively, ask other participants to follow up via email with the meeting notes.
What can managers do to help their employees?
As a manager, ensuring your team stays motivated and is well-prepared to handle daily challenges effortlessly is crucial. You must know your employees’ mental well-being and moods concerning their work responsibilities and meetings to achieve this.
Therefore, make sure you encourage open communication where employees can freely voice their opinions about their feelings towards the way you streamline the communication in the company.
Encourage employees to decline meetings in which they believe they won’t add value or where the agenda is not shared in advance for proper preparation. This proactive approach can help avoid the need for additional meetings.
In addition, consider granting flexibility in communication methods, setting clear expectations for response times and availability, promoting regular breaks, and fostering social interactions and in-person meetings.
To sum up
Virtual communication fatigue is a genuine concern, and increasing numbers of employees grapple with this recent phenomenon. Although completely ditching communication tools or avoiding interactions with colleagues isn’t a practical solution, there are some simple tips to help manage our energy levels amidst the deluge of online meetings and constant messages. Equally crucial is the openness for managers and employees to discuss this issue candidly.