Strategies for Minimizing Video Meeting Stress and combating Attention Exhaustion
A recent Microsoft study and several other research findings have shed light on the impact of remote work and virtual meetings on employee stress and overwork levels. The findings suggest that these modern work arrangements can have a detrimental effect on employees, particularly in terms of increased burnout, mental fatigue, and overwork.
The Microsoft study indicates higher brainwave patterns associated with stress and overwork during remote collaboration compared to in-person collaboration. This is further supported by another study that shows brainwave markers for overwork and stress are significantly higher during video meetings than during non-meeting work, such as writing emails.
This increased stress and overwork can be attributed to several factors. About 69% of remote workers report increased burnout linked to constant accessibility and heavy use of digital communication tools, which blurs boundaries between work and personal life and causes mental fatigue. More than two-thirds of remote employees find it hard to "switch off" at the end of the workday, leading to prolonged working hours, stress, and overwork.
The lack of face-to-face interaction in remote settings leads to feelings of isolation and disconnection, which contribute to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Remote work often involves unclear expectations and feedback, potentially increasing emotional exhaustion and stress. Blurred boundaries cause uncertainty about working hours and difficulty separating work tasks from personal time, increasing stress and reducing job satisfaction.
Remote work can also promote sedentary behavior and demotivation, contributing indirectly to stress and poorer mental health. Frequent virtual meetings and digital communications may lack emotional nuance, increasing feelings of loneliness and emotional distance, which amplify stress levels.
However, it's important to note that not all is lost. Strategies to mitigate these stressors and limit overwork have been suggested. Establishing clear work-life boundaries and structured routines, regular virtual social connections and mental health support like guided meditation, stress management training, and journaling, and encouraging authentic peer bonding to reduce loneliness and emotional distance can help.
In contrast, in-person work provides more natural social support, clearer role definition, and a physical separation between work and home life, which help reduce these stressors and limit overwork. Remote work offers flexibility but demands more intentional strategies to avoid mental health risks and excessive work hours.
With approximately 40% of the European workforce teleworking due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these findings are particularly relevant. There is overall support for a 50/50 split between in-office and remote working in the future, striking a balance between the benefits of remote work and the potential pitfalls of overwork and stress.
References:
- Remote Work and Mental Health: A Review of the Current Evidence
- The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Remote Workers: A Systematic Review
- The Impact of Remote Work on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour: A Systematic Review
- Virtual Meetings and Social Isolation: The Role of Emotional Distance in Remote Work
The Microsoft study underscores the role of remote collaboration in heightening brainwave patterns linked to stress and overwork, echoing findings from other studies that highlight increased overwork and stress during video meetings compared to non-meeting work. Over 69% of remote workers experience burnout due to constant accessibility, heavy digital communication, and blurred boundaries between work and personal life, leading to mental fatigue and stress. Embracing strategies such as clear work-life boundaries, regular virtual social connections, mental health support, and peer bonding can help mitigate these stressors associated with remote work and promote overall health and wellness, including mental health.
