Remedies for Zoom Fatigue
Zoom fatigue is real. Whether we’re dealing with low energy after a day on devices, forgetting to fill our water bottle, or experiencing dry itchy eyes at the end of the day, our self-care is essential for maintaining our motivation and our energy on a daily basis.
1. Take frequent breaks.
One of the things that can happen to us when we are on frequent conference calls, video chats, or in Zoom rooms is that we may forget to take breaks. While being able to work from home has its benefits (saving on gas money, no commute), the natural breaks that we have during the day are reduced or eliminated. So taking a break and walking away from the computer, devices and screens helps us to revitalize, rejuvenate, and restore so we can show up with fresh ideas and fresh perspectives.
2. Look Away
Turn your gaze away from the screen on the regular. Research shows that even just looking at pictures of nature can induce the body’s relaxation response. Give yourself some eye candy in your office space….such as photos from past vacations, frame of view of your happy place, set up a bouquet of flowers or a potted plant within your gaze in order to give yourself a visual break and something too look at.
3. Go outside.
Spending time outdoors can help us counteract some of the affects of staring at a computer screen. The science of forest bathing, or spending time in nature, is both calming and relaxing for body, mind, heart, and spirit. Take some time outdoors to renew and recover before heading back to the virtual day of meetings or school.
4. Hydrate.
We know that hydration is important for maintaining our health and well-being from a variety of perspectives. But hydration is also a necessary part of reducing Zoom fatigue. Headaches, eye strain, and joint pain are only a few things that are impacted by how well we are hydrated. Our water and electrolytes are crucial for keeping us bright and alert. The radiance, plumpness, and integrity of our skin is impacted by our water (and electrolyte intake) so hydration also affects how we look on screen as well as how we feel when we are online.
5. Turn it Off.
At the end of the day, turn off your devices. Give yourself a break from the blue light that emanates from screens. It can even create an energetic boundary to flip the off switch and allow yourself the time and space to take a deep breath—device free.
Even as the world continues to open up, it looks like we’ll still be spending part of our days on Zoom or other electronic devices. Take the time to give yourself breaks and pay attention to your self-care for your ongoing well-being and for reducing Zoom fatigue.
Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.