Give Me A Break
We all know that virtual fatigue is real. This variety of burnout has impacted all of us at one time or another, especially in the last year.
But what can we do about it in an online world?
You Can Counteract Virtual Fatigue
The latest research shows that taking breaks helps ease the fatigue. Here are the three main conclusions from the latest studies on virtual fatigue and the impact of taking a break:
- Taking breaks between meetings stops cumulative stress from building up, giving our brains a chance to “reset.”
- Back-to-back meetings, especially virtual meetings, weaken our focus and engagement. Taking a break helps performance and increases engagement.
- Going from meeting to meeting with no break increases stress. Even a short break in between meetings can lower stress levels.
Breaks don’t have to be long — studies have shown that you can reduce stress in 60-90 seconds.
Stress Is Inevitable. Cumulative Stress Is Avoidable.
Take a short breathing, stretching or gratitude break. Think about something that brings you joy or play with your cat or dog for a short time.