The COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives. Over the past year, Americans have adapted to live, work, and go to school at their homes. Remote work is more common than ever. During the height of the pandemic, it was the best way for people to stay safe and still work.
Some people are returning to work in person now that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Others, however, prefer to work remotely. Remote options offer businesses many benefits, such as easier recruitment and retention. It's also more cost-effective.
Remote work may not be the best option for employees. Although it sounds appealing on paper, there are some benefits. It can improve productivity and allow for greater flexibility. In addition, video calls have become a significant part of people's daily lives due to their remote lifestyles.
Some people feel burnout at work because of this. Some are also suffering from Zoom fatigue, a new condition. Stanford research has shown that this fatigue is more common in women than it is in men.
How can you support your remote team to fight fatigue? How can you help them cope with work-life balance issues and slight burnout?
1. Facilitate meetings that are efficient and effective
Most people have heard the joke about a meeting which could have been an email. Every trick has a kernel truth. Zoom had 300 million participants per day as of March 2021. Collaboration is often possible through meetings. When you have multiple employees, it's natural to want everyone to be on the same page.
You can change your strategy to avoid having so many meetings and reduce burnout for everyone. You can collaborate with others in many ways without needing to meet face-to-face.
- How to create a video presentation
- Emailing
- Requesting status reports
- Instant messaging
There are many tips to make a remote meeting of strategic planning more efficient. Use brainstorming boards to focus on meaningful conversations. It is an excellent way for everyone to feel that the meeting is valuable and not a waste.
Everyone wants to feel valued and heard. It's unnecessary if a meeting is just one person talking. You can choose another option. You can also hold symposia to listen to all ideas and encourage collaboration. It will encourage people to feel excited and motivated rather than feeling burnt out.
Employers can get motivated and excited about brainstorming sessions. It can be uplifting and inspiring to see your employees rekindle that spark and share their best ideas.
2. Fight back against zoom dysmorphia
Zoom Dysmorphia is another reason why you may feel burnt out from video meetings. Zoom Dysmorphia is a new term that was created by the pandemic. However, it's genuine. Zoom fatigue is more common in women than it is in men, as we mentioned earlier. According to the meticulous Stanford research, one in seven women feel “very” or “extremely” tired after Zoom calls.
Many factors could be contributing to this, but Zoom Dysmorphia is the most prominent.
It is how people view themselves every day on a computer screen. There are many times when you can stare at your screen in meetings after a meeting. Some people are unhappy with the way they look. Some people may start to see your flaws or find flaws in others. Dysmorphia can make you notice things that no one else would. This condition can cause anxiety and depression, which can add stress to your daily life.
These are some suggestions if you have issues with your appearance while doing video chats or if you want to give comfort to your employees.
- Identify patterns and negative self-talk
- Make your camera invisible or turn it off
- Practice self-care
- Love yourself!
- Counseling is available
When you are constantly judging yourself on a pixelated screen, it's easy for you to become demotivated. Zoom Dysmorphia can be managed so that you can concentrate on your job, not your appearance. Inspire your employees to practice self-care and balance by creating a remote setting.
3. Connect in other ways
It is easy to fool yourself on Zoom calls or FaceTime with friends. It's easy to believe that this is the only way to connect with people.
Humans need to have real, intimate, and physical relationships. Unfortunately, you're limiting your ability to communicate with people through video platforms such as Zoom or conference calls.
Zoom calls make it more challenging to connect and make it harder to build trust. It isn't easy to open up when you don't know what the person is doing. Also, it might prevent you from speaking up in a work environment.
What can you do to help? First, locate your support network – face to face.
Spend time with those you love, even if it means going on a walk or playing a game with them. Enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend. Visit your mother. You can also offer opportunities to your employees for socially distant events.
It is essential to make it a priority for as many in-person interactions as possible. It will allow you to build the human connection that you desire. This will ensure that you have the human connection you are looking for next time you use Zoom to call.
It is a constant battle to fight burnout
Employers must constantly be looking for ways to reduce team member burnout. Two common causes of team member burnout are frustration and lack of motivation. You should always check in with your employees if they are feeling these things. Encourage offline interaction and make your business more personal.
Disclaimer. The opinions and views expressed in this article are the authors Shalom Lamm.
