Zoomed Out? How Video Calls Might Be Draining Your Mental Energy

In today’s remote and hybrid work environments, video calls have become an essential part of daily communication. Whether it’s a team meeting, virtual class, client discussion, or social hangout, much of our interaction now happens through screens. But if you’ve found yourself feeling unusually tired after a day full of video calls, you’re not alone. This phenomenon, often referred to as " Zoom fatigue ," is very real—and it's impacting people worldwide.

What Is Video Call Fatigue

Video call fatigue refers to the mental exhaustion people experience after attending virtual meetings. Unlike in-person conversations, video calls demand heightened concentration, prolonged eye contact, and restricted body movement—all of which tax the brain over time. Even short meetings can feel draining when stacked back to back.

Why Are Video Calls More Exhausting Than In-Person Meetings

There are several reasons video calls are more tiring than face-to-face interactions:

• Intense Eye Contact: On video calls, everyone is typically looking directly at the screen. This creates a sensation of constant eye contact, which can feel overwhelming and unnatural.
  
  
• Lack of Non-Verbal Cues: In-person, we rely on body language and subtle gestures to understand context. Video calls limit this, forcing your brain to work harder to interpret tone and intent.

Self-View Stress: Seeing yourself continuously on screen can cause self-consciousness, increasing cognitive load and anxiety.

No Movement: Most people stay seated in a fixed position during video calls. This restriction can lead to muscle fatigue and stiffness, compounding mental exhaustion.

The Cognitive Load of Multitasking

While attending video calls, many people multitask—checking emails, replying to messages, or browsing tabs. This divides attention and increases cognitive strain. Your brain switches rapidly between tasks, leading to mental fatigue, poor retention, and reduced engagement in the actual meeting.

Impact on Mental and Physical Health

Prolonged video call fatigue can affect your overall well-being:

• Decreased focus and productivity
  
  
• Increased irritability and burnout
  
  
• Headaches and eye strain
  
  
• Poor posture and neck or back pain
  
  
• Disrupted sleep due to prolonged screen exposure

These effects accumulate when you attend multiple video calls a day without breaks or recovery time.

Back-to-Back Meetings Leave No Recovery Time

One of the biggest contributors to video call fatigue is the lack of transition time between meetings. In an office, moving from one room to another or grabbing a coffee gives the mind a moment to reset. Virtual meetings often start the moment the previous one ends, denying your brain the downtime it needs.

The Psychological Weight of Being "Always On"

Video meetings create a sense of being watched constantly. Participants feel pressure to stay visually engaged, nodding, smiling, and reacting—actions that require sustained emotional performance. Over time, this can feel draining, especially for introverts or people who experience social anxiety.

Tips to Reduce Video Call Fatigue

You can take several steps to protect your energy during heavy virtual meeting days:

• Take Screen Breaks: Step away from your screen between calls. Even five minutes of stretching or walking helps.

Turn Off Self-View: Most platforms allow you to hide your own video feed—use this to reduce self-consciousness.

Switch to Audio Only: If video isn’t essential, turn off the camera and focus on the conversation without screen pressure.

Schedule Breaks Between Meetings: Avoid booking calls back-to-back. Give yourself buffer time to reset.

Use Phone Calls for Some Meetings: Not every discussion needs to be on video. A simple voice call can be less taxing.

Limit Multitasking: Stay present during meetings to reduce cognitive load and improve focus.

Rethinking Video Meeting Culture

Companies and teams can support employee well-being by:

• Encouraging meeting-free hours or days
  
  
• Keeping meetings shorter and more focused
  
  
• Allowing flexibility in camera usage
  
  
• Providing alternative communication options, like emails or chat threads

Cultivating a healthier video call culture can enhance productivity and reduce unnecessary stress.