Why increased online presence is creating brain fatigue and increasing stress.
More people are reporting increased levels of fatigue following a day on video conferencing so much so it has earned its own slang term, ‘Zoom fatigue’.
Andrew Franklin, an assistant professor of cyberpsychology at Virginia’s Norfolk State University, highlights the increased use of virtual meetings in response to the pandemic and launched an unofficial social experiment showing at a population scale what’s always been true – that virtual interactions can be extremely hard on the brain.
During an ‘in-person’ conversation, the brain focuses partly on the words being spoken, but it also derives additional meaning from dozens of non-verbal cues. Professor of psychology Albert Mehrabian studied the importance of non-verbal communication in the 1970s. His model of communication demonstrates that only 7% of what we communicate consists of the literal content of the message. The use of one’s voice, such as tone, intonation and volume take up 38% and as much as 55% of communication consists of body language. This 7 – 38 – 55 -model is still very much used today.
These cues help paint a holistic picture of what is being conveyed and a typical video call impairs these ingrained abilities, creating sustained and intense attention to words instead.
“For somebody who is really dependent on those non-verbal cues, it can be a big drain not to have them,” Franklin says. Prolonged eye contact has become the strongest facial cue readily available, and it can feel threatening or overly intimate if held for too long.
Franklin also highlights how multi-person screens magnify this exhausting problem. Gallery view challenges the brain’s central vision, forcing it to decode so many people at once that no one comes through meaningfully, not even the speaker.
For some people, the prolonged split in attention creates a perplexing sense of being drained while having accomplished nothing. The brain becomes overwhelmed by unfamiliar excess stimuli while being hyper-focused on searching for non-verbal cues that it can’t find.
It is also important to be aware of people in your organisation who are on the autistic spectrum as they will struggle with video chatting. It can exacerbate sensory triggers such as loud noise and bright lights.
In addition, constant exposure to the electromagnetic field around computers, smartphones and tablets can be damaging to the human energy field. They emit electromagnetic radiation (EMR), which is known to decrease our production of the hormone melatonin. Reduced levels result in insomnia, difficulty concentrating, shorter attention spans and more. EMR waves can also disturb our bodies’ natural electrical system, causing both mental and physical stress. The more intense the EMR, the more physical stress, and thus mental stress we experience.
At the moment it is difficult to reduce online activity, however it is important to be mindful of the things you can do to reduce the impact on your wellbeing. If you are feeling overstimulated, turn off your camera. Save your energy for when you absolutely want to perceive the few non-verbal cues that do come through.
If it’s a work meeting that can be done by phone, it can be less taxing on the brain. Try walking at the same time. “Walking meetings are known to improve creativity, and reduce stress. Take regular breaks in the fresh air and leave your phone indoors.
Limit screen time after work and enjoy some recreational activities that don’t emit EMR. Be sensible, be aware and manage your screen time effectively.
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