Why Does Video Chatting Cause Fatigue? With people across the United States stuck at homebr due to the COVID-19 pandemic, video calls have becomebr the new norm for work and social interactions. Although a convenient way of remainingbr connected, many are finding these onlinebr sessions to be especially exhausting. According to Gianpiero Petriglieri, an associatebr professor at Insead, video calls require more focusbr than face-to-face interactions as people mustbr work harder to process non-verbal cues. Gianpiero Petriglieri, via BBC Petriglieri also believes that while silencebr during face-to-face conversations is consideredbr a natural pause, that same silence is viewedbr more negatively during a video call. However, the biggest contributor to this online stressbr is the fact that video calls are a massive reminder ofbr what has been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gianpierobr Petriglieri, via BBC In order to reduce “Zoom fatigue,” Petriglieribr suggests only using video chats when necessarybr and putting your laptop to the side in order tobr simulate a normal meeting setting. When chatting with friends, give yourself time to transition between your work and social personas. Having that buffer will help you feel refreshed br and relaxed. You should also consider opting for smaller,br more intimate group chats. Large group callsbr can be depersonalizing and make you feel asbr if your individual power is diminished.