Study reveals alarming impact of "Zoom fatigue" on brain and heart health

Ever felt mentally or physically drained after a video conference call? You're not alone.

A recent study found a connection between video conferencing in educational settings and physical symptoms of exhaustion. Concern about the impact of so-called "Zoom fatigue" took hold as the use of video calls expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an interview with CBS News, Dr. Arjun Venkatesh, a professor and chair of emergency medicine at Yale University, called the study "small but mighty in many ways."

The study focused on 35 college students split into two groups — half of them watched a lecture live and the other half got it over video conference. All participants wore EEG and EKG monitors to measure the electrical activity in the brain and their heart rate, respectively.

Understanding Zoom Fatigue

Zoom fatigue is a phenomenon that many people have experienced. It refers to the feeling of exhaustion that sets in after being on multiple Zoom calls. According to research conducted by Stanford University, there are several factors that contribute to Zoom fatigue:

• Intense, excessive close-up eye contact
• Constantly seeing oneself during video chats
• Restricted mobility
• Increased cognitive load

Zoom fatigue is a combination of physiological and emotional factors, as explained by Venkatesh.

Tips to Prevent Zoom Fatigue

Although the Stanford University study focused on college students in lectures, there are strategies that can be applied to other settings, such as the workplace, to prevent Zoom fatigue. Venkatesh suggests making smarter choices during your work day, such as opting for in-person meetings when possible instead of relying solely on Zoom.