You click “leave meeting” and immediately feel the need to take a deep breath. Exhaustion washes over you. Welcome to the world of Zoom fatigue, where virtual meetings drain your energy and leave you longing for a break. In this article, we summarize what recent science reveals about this phenomenon and share practical tips to help you stay energized and focused during your online interactions.
With the rise of digitalization, online meetings have become increasingly important, especially after the COVID-19 crisis. While many appreciate the flexibility of working and learning from home, the phenomenon of “Zoom fatigue” has become prevalent.
What is Zoom fatigue and is it real?
Yes, Zoom fatigue is real. Zoom fatigue, also referred as videoconference fatigue, is defined as the phenomenon of feeling “exhausted or tired attributed to a videoconference”.1 Symptoms can include exhaustion, blurred vision, reduced motivation or emotional fatigue.2
What causes Zoom fatigue?
Researchers recently published a scientific report in the prestigious journal Nature, identifying several possible explanations for Zoom fatigue.3
- Limited nonverbal cues: In a videoconference, we only see a small image of each person, which limits the nonverbal cues we can pick up, such as body language. Our brain needs to work harder to understand the reduced cues, making us more tired.
- Self-mirroring: Constantly seeing oneself on the screen makes us pay more attention to how we look and act. Managing our appearance and behavior requires extra brain power, which might make us feel more tired.
- Lag time: Often we have a slight delay between the video and the sound. This can make a conversation feel less smooth and natural, impacting synchrony and communication quality.
- Background noise: In face-to-face interactions, our brains can filter out background noise due to spatial localization. In videoconferencing, this task is more complex, and unmuted microphones can pick up various background noises, increasing cognitive effort.
- Multitasking: Many of us recognize the habit of sitting in an online meeting while checking emails or browsing the internet. However, our brain is not made for multitasking. Instead, it quickly switches back and forth between tasks, a process known as “context-switching”, which demands more resources.
- Constant gaze: The continuous gaze of many participants in grid-view might also contribute to the fatigue.
- Artificial backgrounds: Blurring effects encountered by having an artificial background can distract from relevant content, increasing cognitive load.
How can we combat Zoom fatigue?
Different settings can indeed make us more tired. Although there is limited research on this subject, researchers from the previously mentioned Nature study examined the effects of various virtual class settings on cognitive load and fatigue.3 Based on their findings, they recommend:
- Turning off the self-view, as being watched by others and seeing yourself on screen for long periods can be draining.
- Promoting active participation through questions, polls, and other interactive elements can also help.
- Avoiding artificial backgrounds can make it easier for participants to focus.
Conclusion
All in all, we can say that Zoom fatigue is a real and common issue in our increasingly digital world. Researchers have identified several factors related to the very nature of virtual meetings that make social interactions happening via videoconferencing more complex and tiring ; there are however strategies to mitigate these effects. Based on recent findings, turning off the self-view, promoting active participation, and using natural backgrounds can help reduce cognitive load and fatigue. Not least, based on other research on a brain-health friendly lifestyle, don’t forget to take regular breaks to hydrate and move your body to be able to stave off Zoom fatigue.
Idea in Brief
With the rise of digitalization, especially post-COVID-19, online meetings have become essential but have also led to “Zoom fatigue.” This phenomenon, characterized i.a. by exhaustion and reduced motivation might be caused by factors like limited nonverbal cues, self-mirroring, lag time, background noise, multitasking, constant gaze, and artificial backgrounds. Recent research offers strategies to combat this fatigue, such as turning off self-view, promoting active participation, and using natural backgrounds to reduce cognitive load and stay energized during virtual interactions.
- Bennett AA, Campion ED, Keeler KR, Keener SK. Videoconference fatigue? Exploring changes in fatigue after videoconference meetings during COVID-19. Journal of Applied Psychology. 2021 Mar;106(3):330–44.
- Fauville G, Luo M, Hancock &. Zoom Exhaustion & Fatigue Scale. 2021; Available from: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3786329
- Basch JM, Albus P, Seufert T. Fighting Zoom fatigue: Evidence-based approaches in university online education. Sci Rep. 2025 Dec 1;15(1).
