Since there has been a Canada-Wide work from home order, there has been a lot of discussion online about something called screen fatigue and “zoom fatigue”.

So, what is screen/Zoom fatigue anyway? Screen or Zoom fatigue is: “a type of mental exertion…named after the popular video chat software (Resources, 1).”

We’re online, A LOT! This can bring all kinds of challengers for learners, and ourselves.

It’s important to take care of yourself. There are lots of different strategies to help you combat screen/Zoom fatigue, and it is important to find the ones that work best for you! Here are a few tips and tricks we’ve accumulated over the past few weeks to help prepare us for longer online sessions:

• Adjust and balance work schedules for screen time and non-screen time. Example: try to be offline for a few hours before our GLC Day workshop
• Understand and research zoom fatigue, how it works, and strategies
• Printing materials versus reviewing online documents
• Making time for quiet and screen free activities like reading, yoga, deep breathing, mindfulness, or meditation
• Setting boundaries socially about additional screen time with family, friends, or additional commitments.
• Jam sessions with music, or creating something with your hands. Example, crafts.
• Recording your voice and listening to others recordings with communication software apps like WhatsApp. This can be done instead of texting, calling, or video-conferencing
• Self check in at some point in the day. “How am I feeling? What do I need?
• Accepting whatever strategies work for you, and know that they are likely to change

What does this look like in our workshops for GLC Day? You got it! Our Movement Breaks, and 20/20/20’s!

You can join our work from home vibes slack channel for more ideas! Please contact your CSM if you wish to be added to the channel.

Resources:

• 1) “‘Zoom fatigue’ is setting in: What it is and how to prevent it”. Article by Thomas Diagle, CBC News. May 27th, 2020. URL: https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/zoom-fatigue-is-setting-in-1.5585933. Optional: read it here!
• 2) “‘Zoom fatigue is real — here’s why video calls are so draining'”. Article by: Libby Sander + Oliver Bauman. TED Conferences. May 19, 2020. URL: https://ideas.ted.com/zoom-fatigue-is-real-heres-why-video-calls-are-so-draining/?utm_term=social-science&utm_content=talk&utm_campaign=social&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=linkedin.com. Optional: read it here!