As the world shifted behind screens during Covid, many of us found our days blurring into an endless stream of glowing rectangles, faces frozen mid-sentence, expressions pixelated, voices slightly delayed. What once felt like a lifeline during lockdown slowly became an invisible weight.
By the end of the day, you close the laptop only to realize you’re more exhausted than you ever were after a full day of in-person work. This creeping drain, this mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion is what researchers call Zoom fatigue, a silent burnout born from staying connected in all the ways that feel strangely disconnected.
Zoom fatigue refers to the mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion arising from prolonged video-based communication (e.g., virtual meetings, online classes, tele-consults). Unlike in-person interaction, video calls force us to process compressed social signals, maintain constant attention to a 2D screen, and often skip natural breaks cumulatively overloading our cognitive, visual, and emotional systems.
A 2025 peer-reviewed study1 found measurable increases in self-reported fatigue, eye strain, and stress among frequent videoconferencing users, linking the intensity of symptoms to session length, number of back-to-back calls, and lack of physical movement.
The subject was discussed in a popular discussion hub for medical enthusiasts called MedBound Hub, where a user, Dr. Divya Ranadev, explained the general causes of the Zoom fatigue.
On a video call, your brain must decode faces, interpret tone, track group dynamics all from a flat 2D image. This extra mental work increases cognitive load compared to in-person communication.
Staring at a screen for extended periods often at close range demands sustained eye focus. Many people also remain seated and stationary, leading to:
eye dryness or irritation
headaches
neck and back stiffness
general body fatigue
Constant self-view (seeing your own face onscreen), the sensation of being “on display,” and the need to maintain an attentive posture can trigger anxiety, self-consciousness, and social fatigue. Social interactions through screens feel more demanding, often leaving people emotionally drained.
Unlike traditional work or classroom environments, video calls often stack without built-in transition periods — no commute, no walk to another room, no natural pause. This continuous engagement leaves little time for mental reset or physical movement, compounding fatigue.
Common signs of Zoom fatigue include:
Persistent tiredness or “brain fog” after long video sessions
Eye discomfort, dryness, itchiness, blurred vision
Headaches or migraines
Neck, shoulder, or back pain from poor posture or static seating
Irritability or emotional exhaustion, especially after many meetings
Difficulty concentrating or decreased motivation for non-screen tasks
Because these symptoms overlap with general stress or sedentary behavior, many do not immediately link them to videoconferencing, yet research shows the association is real and quantifiable.
Clinical Psychologist Shreya Kaul explains, “Being online creates a different kind of cognitive strain. Our brains are working overtime, trying to read expressions through a screen, staying alert to every detail, and continuously performing socially without the natural pauses we get in real life.”
With the arrival of COVID-19, our dependence on the digital world surged overnight. Workplaces, classrooms, friendships and even major life events moved online. Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams became the backbone of daily functioning and remarkably, five years later, they remain deeply embedded in our routines.
But this shift also brought an unexpected consequence: Zoom fatigue, a psychological and physical strain that builds up after prolonged video-based communication. While it may look effortless from the outside (“You’re just on your laptop how exhausting can it be?”), the truth is that virtual interactions place a heavy cognitive load on the brain.
According to Shreya Kaul, these following steps should help.
Take intentional breaks: Short pauses between calls help reset your mind and rest your eyes.
Create a structured schedule: Clear plans reduce multitasking and mental overload.
Stay self-aware: Recognize early signs of strain and step away when needed.
Limit continuous screen exposure: Set caps on uninterrupted screen time.
Use blue-light protection: Glasses or filters can ease eye strain.
Seek support: If fatigue affects mood or daily functioning, therapy can help build healthy coping strategies.
As our online and offline worlds continue to overlap, learning to manage digital fatigue is no longer optional, it’s essential for long-term mental and physical well-being.
Video conferencing is now woven into many aspects of work, education, healthcare, and social life. As remote and hybrid models persist, Zoom fatigue is not a temporary trend, it’s a public health and occupational concern. Recognizing it early, adapting habits, and promoting ergonomic, balanced use are key to protecting mental and physical well-being.
Employers, educators, and tele-health providers should be aware of these risks and build “digital fatigue prevention” into schedules: regular breaks, realistic meeting densities, ergonomic setup guidelines, and awareness campaigns.
Zoom fatigue is not merely a buzzword, a growing body of research shows it’s a real, measurable strain on our cognitive, visual, physical, and emotional systems. But with awareness, thoughtful habits, and ergonomic practices, it’s possible to adapt and protect our health even as we stay connected online.
References
Basch, Johannes M., Patrick Albus & Tina Seufert. 2025. “Fighting Zoom Fatigue: Evidence-Based Approaches in University Online Education.” Scientific Reports 15:7091. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90973-6.
Son, et al. (2023). “Exploring Zoom Fatigue Among International Students in U.S. Virtual Classes.” ERIC Document EJ1456035. Accessed via ERIC — PDF file. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1456035.pdf
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