Zoom Fatigue: The Hidden Drain and How to Beat It

The rise of Zoom calls and video meetings became a hallmark of our professional lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a virtual space for connection when face-to-face interactions were impossible. However, along with this innovation came discussions about **Zoom fatigue**, a term used to describe the exhaustion many feel after lengthy video meetings. Whether it’s through Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams, remote working remains prevalent, and the feelings of fatigue after these calls persist even as researchers investigate solutions.

A recent survey featured in the journal Frontiers has shed light on a surprising factor: your videoconferencing background can significantly affect how drained you feel after a call. In a poll of over 600 individuals, researchers explored the types of virtual backgrounds used during video calls—ranging from static images and blurred settings to videos and no background at all. The study aimed to measure *videoconference fatigue*, and it revealed that those utilizing video backgrounds reported the highest levels of fatigue, followed closely by those with blurred backgrounds. Interestingly, participants who chose nature-themed backgrounds reported lower levels of fatigue compared to those with office or public-space settings. Additionally, backgrounds that were light-hearted or humorous led to the least fatigue.

But what exactly drives this Zoom fatigue and how does your virtual backdrop affect it? According to *Sanam Hafeez*, a neuropsychologist from New York City and director of Comprehend the Mind, "cognitive overload" plays a crucial role. **“Video meetings require a lot of mental effort to process nonverbal cues and the dynamic of the participants, alongside being self-conscious about one's onscreen presence,”** Hafeez explains. The lack of nonverbal cues, such as eye contact and body language, forces individuals to put in extra effort to decipher communication, which can be tiring. Furthermore, the sensation of being watched can amplify social pressure, contributing to a sense of fatigue during these calls, points out *Heng Zhang*, co-author of the study and a researcher at the Nanyang Technological University.

Long periods of sitting in front of a screen without movement can also lead to discomfort and fatigue, as Zhang notes. Many people fall into the trap