Overcoming Screen Exhaustion

If you have been feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or otherwise sick of virtual meetings, you are not alone.  Recent studies have begun to examine the effects of virtual meeting and screen fatigue, recently called “Zoom Gloom” by folks on social media.  Whether you are a therapist seeing clients all day, a teacher or student attending online classes, or part of a remote work team, you might be at risk of developing Zoom Gloom.  Of course, it’s not like what we are seeing is specific to Zoom – just like “Googling” something is synonymous with doing an online search, “Zooming” has become synonymous with virtual meetings.  However, if you are attending back-to-back virtual meetings during your work day, then chances are you’ve felt the effects. 

Check out this video to learn more:

What are the signs of screen exhaustion?

Short term:

  • Difficulty focusing
  • Tiredness and fatigue
  • Head fog
  • Performance anxiety

Long term:

  • Chronic stress
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Burnout

How can you cope? 

The research offers three main suggestions for coping with Zoom Gloom:

  1. Be physically active and take good care of your body
  2. Schedule sections of meetings to be audio only (e.g., phone call or turning off camera on Zoom)
  3. Take at least 10 minutes in between meetings to get away from your screen and destress

Need more help?

Contact us today!  Our team of therapists are experts at helping people overcome stress, depression, anxiety, and more.  Get the help you deserve and contact us today.  

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