Wondering how to combat virtual meeting fatigue after a string of online conversations has left you blurry-eyed and tired? We’re here to help with some tips on ways to reduce the fatigue from frequent online meetings.
Overcoming meeting fatigue can be extremely hard when you have to keep jumping from one discussion to the next. Excessive screen time is unhealthy, whether for work or for recreation, but unlike our TikTok usage, work meetings are impossible to avoid. Particularly for those who work remotely, virtual meetings are often the only solution to bring a team together, making it an unavoidable symptom of the system. Still, learning how to combat Zoom or Teams fatigue can be worth the effort, making these interactions more productive and less draining with time.
Let’s explore how to combat virtual meeting fatigue and make video conferences more productive and less draining on employees. (Image: Pexels)
How to Combat Virtual Meeting Fatigue: Exploring Simple Strategies for Employers and Employees
Virtual meeting fatigue refers to the mental and physical strain workers experience after spending too much time in these online interactions. Some of the stress comes from the mere act of having to meet, discuss, and share critical information with the team, as there is often a lot riding on the outcome of these interactions. The fatigue can also grow due to the online nature of the discussion.
Clearing up your home setting and background for the meeting, sorting through spotty Wi-Fi issues, sharing screens carefully, trying to pay attention to who is speaking, attempting to interpret nonverbal cues, and ensuring everyone gets a chance to speak are just some of the issues that are enhanced by virtual meetings. The mere act of staring at a screen for extended periods is also exhausting, making fatigue an inevitable outcome for many.
Reducing the burnout from these virtual meetings can make them easier to sit through, not just in favor of professionalism but to ensure that these interactions are also fruitful. The less draining these meetings are for employees, the more they will be able to actively participate in these interactions, ensuring a fruitful and engaging conversation for everyone.
How Can Employees Beat Virtual Meeting Fatigue?
Employees who want to make a good impression during every meeting and ensure they are actively engaged during the discussion should learn how to manage meeting burnout to better alleviate their own tension. From eliminating distractions to taking breaks, there are a few different steps to consider.
- Designate a meeting space in your home that you don’t have to worry about clearing out for a meeting each time
- Reduce the clutter around your meeting space so you are not overwhelmed or crowded in
- Set up for the meeting in advance and check that your earphones, laptop, or other pieces of equipment are connected and charged
- Review the meeting agenda and open up the necessary files in advance so you do not panic when called upon
- Join the meeting early, so you have time to prepare or greet those who join in after, building rapport with the team
- Take notes during the meeting to get your own thoughts and tasks in order
- Stand up, stretch, and step away from the desk after a meeting to give your eyes a break from the screen
- Find a window to look out of for a few minutes, or just rest with your eyes closed
- Stay hydrated through the day and set reminders in case you often forget to sit down with a glass of water
- Space your meetings out, if possible, so you don’t have to rush from one to the next
- Explore other means of communication, such as one-on-one chats or in-person meetings
- Request a break from the meeting or ask to reschedule if you really need it. Staying silent can hurt more in the long run
How Can HR Help Employees Combat Virtual Meeting Fatigue?
Employees can do their best to combat virtual meeting fatigue on their own, but if the company culture discourages breaks or emphasizes staying glued to the screen, their efforts might fall short. Managers and HR teams who want productive meetings need to also create an environment where these meetings get the attention and energy they deserve. This is only possible when organizations also do their part to help employees cope with meeting burnout.
- Set a clear agenda for all meetings and communicate it to participants
- Limit meeting durations to help place a cap on how long employees have to sit through a discussion
- Limit how many meetings employees attend in a day or week
- Revisit regularly scheduled meetings every few months to assess if they need to be continued
- Consider employee schedules before adding meetings to their calendar
- Encourage employees to take breaks after a meeting
- Improve the company culture to ensure it doesn’t hinge on an excess of virtual meetings
- Ask employees what support tools they need to combat virtual meeting fatigue
- Consider employee benefits that provide workers with a reliable ergonomic setup for their daily needs
- Make meetings interactive rather than focusing on a single speaker. Utilize forms, worksheets, breakout rooms, and other strategies to keep things interesting
- Prioritize flexibility to help employees make adjustments when they need them
- Provide physical workspaces for teams that want to meet in person
Let’s Make 2026 the Year We Beat Virtual Meeting Fatigue
Overcoming fatigue with regard to virtual meetings is important because allowing the issue to go unaddressed can leave an employee’s mind and body fatigued and their attention disconnected from the workplace. Video conferencing technology has simplified our lives in many ways, but excessive use is where we frequently stumble.
Online meetings have many advantages over in-person ones, and they are a core part of any organization’s daily operations. As a result, optimizing this process and improving the daily practices around these meetings can make them more enjoyable and efficient for everyone involved.
Have suggestions on how to combat virtual meeting fatigue? Share them with us in the comments. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.