Most of us have transitioned from commuting to the office and in-person meetings to sitting at our home office desks and partaking in virtual meetings all day long. At this point, most of us are feeling the “zoom fatigue” effects and this looks like exhaustion, low energy and lack of motivation by the end of the workday. Sitting in front of screens all day long is straining on your eyes, not to mention the physical toll desk work takes on your body. Here are some quick and easy ways you can find relief from “zoom fatigue” in the middle of your busy day.

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Go outside for some fresh air

Fresh air works wonders for the body. Now that the weather is getting nicer, get outside for a 5 to 10 minute walk during breaks between meetings so you come back to your desk feeling invigorated and recharged. You can even try to take some meetings over the phone while on a walk. Put in those headphones, lace up those running shoes and walk and talk!

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Unplug from technology whenever you can

During breaks at work, put away your phone and close your computer to get away from your screens for a brief moment. It is all too easy to keep our emails open during lunch and have our phone right beside us when we are off the clock. In order to feel fully recharged, put your devices away and spend your time focusing on some self-care.

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Avoid overstimulating yourself

Research shows that when you are in a video meeting, you spend the most time gazing at your own face. This can become distracting so try to minimize your screen to hide your video if possible. Distractions go far beyond this and one of the other ways we tend to overstimulate ourselves on video calls is by having multiple browsers open at the same time. It may seem productive to multi-task when working virtually, but just remember that this can be exhausting and overstimulating for your brain. Try to focus on one task at a time and keep your undivided attention on the video call. Leave your other tasks until later in the day.

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Go back to pen and paper

In a world so technologically advanced, we have forgotten the simplicity of pen and paper for basic tasks. If you don’t need to use your computer, try using a pen and paper to get your work done. This will reduce your screen time and allow you to be more alert and attentive during Zoom meetings. Get yourself a cute notepad to make your work a little bit more fun!

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Work near a sunny window

The bright sunshine that pours through our windows is refreshing and creates a beautiful workspace at home. If possible, move your desk closer to a bright window to reap the benefits of natural sunlight. Natural lighting helps regulate circadian rhythms and makes your workspace feel more positive and welcoming during those long workdays.

If you feel that you are suffering from “zoom fatigue”, try out these tips above and see how the week goes. A little bit of sunshine and exercise goes a long way if you feel fatigue and exhausted from sitting in front of a computer screen all day. For another good read, check out my blog post here on healthy snacks that you can incorporate into your workday.