Video-meetings can be tiring because they require us to focus more intently on conversations in order to absorb information, and to stare directly at a screen for long periods of time without any visual or mental break. To make video calls less exhausting, try incorporating the following tips from the Harvard Business Review:
Avoid multitasking. Close other tabs that may distract you, put your phone away and stay present.
Take mini breaks from the video screen during longer meetings by minimizing that window or looking away from the computer for a few minutes now and then.
Reduce onscreen stimuli by turning off your camera when you are not talking and asking people to use plain backgrounds if possible.
Make virtual social events optional. After having back to back video calls all day it’s normal to feel drained particularly if you are an introvert.
Switch to phone calls or email. Review your calendar to determine if any meetings could be accomplished without video chats.
For external calls, avoid defaulting to video, especially if you do not know the other person well and if in the past those conversations were done via the telephone.
