{"id":198242,"date":"2023-09-01T07:22:15","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T11:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.attendancebot.com\/blog\/?p=198242"},"modified":"2025-02-18T11:51:24","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T16:51:24","slug":"screen-fatigue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.attendancebot.com\/blog\/screen-fatigue\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Screen Fatigue Still Lurking? We Think Not."},"content":{"rendered":"

I’ve been working remotely for the past year, and it’s been great! I don’t have to commute anymore, which means I can get up at 6 am and get a lot of work done before anyone else is even awake. Plus, I can work in my pajamas if I want to\u2014and sometimes I do!<\/span><\/p>\n

The other day I was video-calling my co-worker about how we were going to tackle a project together. They started talking about how they were excited about doing this project because he hadn’t worked on anything remotely since the pandemic. And then he said that the last time he’d been in the office was when they had to do a mandatory walk-through after they’d all been quarantined there during the pandemic. It really hit me that remote work is normal now\u2014we’ve really settled into it.<\/span><\/p>\n

We’re still working on making sure everyone feels comfortable with it, but things like video calls aren’t as hard anymore, they’ve become the norm. Zoom fatigue doesn’t exist as much as it did in the pandemic because we’re used to using it every day now.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if you’re new to <\/span>remote work<\/a><\/strong>, you can still get Screen fatigue. Let\u2019s see how you can take simple steps to reduce it. In case you’re if you’re looking for ways to mitigate Zoom fatigue, we have a full-fledged piece on it that we did during the pandemic that you can read it here.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Remote<\/a><\/p>\n\n

What is Zoom Fatigue?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Zoom or screen fatigue<\/a><\/strong> is described as the air of exhaustion and futility that comes with using Zoom for extended periods. For example, you may begin a meeting by saying, \u201cLet me just check my email before we start.” Then, as you try to explain your idea in a crowded conference room with no visual cues or physical feedback from your audience, you find yourself fumbling through slideshows while trying not to miss any key points or questions from those listening in. You keep thinking about how much easier it would be if everyone were physically present in the same space where they could see each other and take notes directly onto the paper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"having<\/p>\n

What Does Screen Fatigue Look Like?<\/span><\/h2>\n

While the convenience and efficiency of tools like Zoom are undeniable, they can be pretty exhausting for us humans! <\/span>Zoom<\/a><\/strong> fatigue is caused by several factors, including the lack of body language cues in conversation (since we do not see each other), prolonged close viewing of our faces (which we do have to do when using these programs), as well as mental exhaustion due to social overload.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mental Exhaustion<\/span><\/h3>\n

The mind is like a muscle. It needs to be exercised, but it also needs to be rested and renewed. Our mind is like a computer that needs to be rebooted if it’s been used for too long without a break.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like any other body part, your brain can tire out if you overdo it with tasks that require heavy concentration and problem-solving skills\u2014like working on a spreadsheet at work or trying to wrap your head around the latest episode of “Stranger Things.” And just as overexertion of specific muscles causes pain in those regions, overworking your brain can lead to headaches and other signs of <\/span>mental exhaustion<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mirror Anxiety<\/span><\/h3>\n

We all know that feeling\u2014you’re having a great time and completely comfortable with yourself. You’re laughing with friends and feel like you can do anything. Then suddenly, you catch yourself in the mirror.<\/span><\/p>\n

And that’s when it happens: the overwhelming sense of anxiety. The feeling that everyone is judging you, that everyone can see what an imposter you are, that everyone knows exactly how small and insignificant you are compared to them.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s called screen fatigue, and it’s a real thing. It happens when people get so used to seeing themselves as they are\u2014in other words, through their own eyes\u2014that they start seeing themselves through the eyes of others instead. They see themselves as they appear to others\u2014when judged or scrutinized\u2014and not as they actually look.<\/span><\/p>\n

Women are especially prone to this phenomenon because of their tendency toward self-criticism. A<\/span> study<\/a><\/strong> of more than 10,000 <\/span>Zoom<\/a><\/strong> users revealed that women reported 13.8% higher Zoom fatigue compared to men.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Lack of Bodily Cues in Conversation<\/span><\/h3>\n

Remote video calling lacks many of the visual signals that we use to communicate with each other in face-to-face settings. Without seeing someone’s facial expressions, body language, and gestures, we’re less likely to pick up on nonverbal cues like their tone of voice or emotional state. This can make it difficult for us to understand what our colleagues are saying or feeling\u2014and it can also lead us to misinterpret what they’re trying to speak altogether.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lack of Social Support from Remote Coworkers<\/span><\/h3>\n

The physical distance between coworkers means there’s no way for them to offer encouragement by patting each other on the back or high-fiving after a good brainstorming session (or even just saying \u201cgood job\u201d). This lack of social support may negatively impact how much energy you put into your workday and how motivated you feel about going out into the world every day.<\/span><\/p>\n

What’s the Zoom\/Screen Fatigue Update?<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to<\/span> research by Pew Research Centre<\/a><\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n