Why Do Video Calls Make People Feel More Tired Than In Person

In the era of remote work and digital communication, video calls have become a daily fixture. While they offer convenience and connectivity, many people report feeling unusually drained after even short virtual meetings. This phenomenon—often called “Zoom fatigue”—is not just anecdotal. Research across psychology, neuroscience, and human-computer interaction confirms that video conferencing demands significantly more cognitive effort than face-to-face interaction. The reasons are rooted in how our brains process visual cues, manage social expectations, and adapt to unnatural communication environments.

Unlike in-person conversations, where communication flows naturally through body language, tone, and spatial awareness, video calls fragment these signals. Delays, limited eye contact, and an overabundance of self-view contribute to a heightened state of alertness that gradually wears down mental resources. Understanding the underlying mechanisms can help individuals and organizations design healthier digital communication habits.

The Cognitive Load of Video Communication

One of the primary reasons video calls are exhausting lies in increased cognitive load—the total amount of mental effort being used in working memory. In a physical meeting, humans rely on subconscious processing of nonverbal cues: posture shifts, subtle facial expressions, ambient sounds, and environmental context. These inputs help us interpret meaning without conscious thought.

On video, however, these signals are either missing or distorted. Facial expressions appear flatter due to low resolution or camera angles. Body language is often cropped out. Audio delays force participants to listen more intently, anticipating when others will speak. As a result, the brain must work harder to fill in the gaps, constantly decoding fragmented information. This hyper-vigilance leads to mental strain over time.

A 2021 study published in Technology, Mind, and Behavior found that participants reported higher levels of fatigue after video meetings compared to in-person ones, even when duration and agenda were identical. Researchers attributed this to “nonverbal overload,” where users exert extra effort to monitor their own image and interpret others’ gestures from a grid of faces.

Tip: Reduce cognitive strain by turning off your self-view during calls. Seeing yourself continuously activates self-evaluation circuits in the brain.

Eye Contact and Social Pressure

In real life, eye contact is fluid and intermittent. We glance away naturally—to think, to observe surroundings, or simply to rest. On video calls, the illusion of constant staring is unavoidable. Cameras are typically placed above or beside screens, making it nearly impossible to look directly into someone’s eyes while also viewing their face. This creates a dissonant experience: others perceive you as looking away when you’re actually watching them, and vice versa.

This mismatch generates subtle social anxiety. The brain interprets lack of eye contact as disinterest or rudeness, prompting users to overcompensate by staring rigidly at the camera. Maintaining this artificial gaze is mentally taxing. Over hours of meetings, this forced attentiveness depletes emotional energy.

Additionally, being perpetually visible increases self-consciousness. Unlike in-person settings where attention is shared with the environment, video platforms place each participant under a spotlight. You're always \"on stage,\" aware that dozens of eyes might be scrutinizing your expression, background, or attire. This performance pressure contributes significantly to post-call exhaustion.

“Video conferencing places us in a state of continuous impression management, which is cognitively expensive.” — Dr. Gianpiero Petriglieri, Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior, INSEAD

Movement Constraints and Environmental Stagnation

Face-to-face interactions allow for natural movement—shifting positions, walking around a room, gesturing freely. These micro-movements support cognitive function and emotional regulation. In contrast, video calls require users to remain within frame, often sitting still for extended periods. Restricted mobility reduces blood flow, limits muscle engagement, and disrupts the kinesthetic feedback loop that helps maintain alertness.

Moreover, the physical environment of a video call is static. Most users sit in front of a blank wall or cluttered shelf, lacking the dynamic sensory input of a real office or café. Our brains evolved to respond to changing stimuli; prolonged exposure to a single visual field induces monotony and mental fatigue. Without environmental variety, attention wanes, requiring greater effort to stay focused.

Consider this: during an in-person meeting, you might stand up to grab a document, shift in your chair, or use hand gestures to emphasize a point. These small actions release tension and refresh focus. On video, such movements risk going off-screen or appearing unprofessional, so they’re suppressed—adding another layer of psychological constraint.

Do’s and Don’ts for Reducing Physical Strain

Do	Don’t
Use a standing desk or change posture every 20 minutes	Sit in the same position for over an hour
Position camera at eye level to reduce neck strain	Look down at a laptop screen for prolonged periods
Take short walks between back-to-back calls	Stack meetings without breaks
Use external keyboards and mice to improve ergonomics	Work from the couch with poor spinal alignment

The Role of Multitasking and Attention Fragmentation

Another major contributor to video call fatigue is the temptation—and expectation—to multitask. During in-person meetings, side activities like checking email or texting are socially inappropriate and physically difficult. On video, however, the illusion of privacy makes it easy to open another tab, respond to messages, or scan documents—all while appearing superficially engaged.

But true multitasking is a myth. The brain doesn’t perform multiple cognitive tasks simultaneously; it switches rapidly between them, incurring a \"switching cost\" each time. Each distraction forces the brain to reorient, consuming additional mental energy. Over the course of a day filled with video meetings, this constant task-switching accumulates, leading to decision fatigue and reduced productivity.

A Stanford University study revealed that heavy media multitaskers performed worse on cognitive control tests, showing reduced ability to filter irrelevant information and sustain attention. When applied to video conferencing, this means that even minor distractions—like monitoring chat messages or adjusting audio settings—can degrade overall mental performance and increase feelings of exhaustion.

Mini Case Study: Sarah, Remote Project Manager

Sarah leads a distributed team of eight developers and holds five to seven video calls per day. Initially proud of her efficiency, she began experiencing afternoon burnout, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. After tracking her behavior for a week, she realized she was routinely responding to Slack messages during calls and keeping multiple browser tabs open.

She implemented two changes: first, she turned off notifications during meetings and used a separate device for urgent messages. Second, she started scheduling “no-camera” check-ins for routine updates. Within ten days, her energy levels improved, and she reported greater clarity in decision-making. Her team also noted more engaging discussions, attributing the shift to her increased presence.

Strategies to Reduce Video Call Fatigue

While eliminating video calls may not be practical, several evidence-based strategies can mitigate their draining effects. These approaches address both structural and behavioral factors, helping users conserve mental energy without sacrificing collaboration.

Step-by-Step Guide to Healthier Virtual Meetings

1. Assess Necessity: Before scheduling a video call, ask whether the goal could be achieved via email, async video, or a quick phone call. Not every discussion requires face time.
2. Set Clear Agendas: Share a concise agenda in advance. This reduces ambiguity and keeps conversations focused, minimizing cognitive drift.
3. Limit Duration: Default to 25- or 50-minute meetings instead of full hours. This allows for mental recovery between sessions.
4. Encourage Camera Breaks: Designate portions of longer meetings as “camera optional” or “audio only” to give participants a visual rest.
5. Optimize Environment: Use good lighting, minimize background noise, and position the camera at eye level to reduce visual stress.
6. Take Movement Breaks: After each call, stand up, stretch, or walk for three to five minutes to reset your nervous system.
7. Batch Meetings: Group calls on specific days or times to create uninterrupted blocks for deep work.

Tip: Use audio-only calls for one-on-one check-ins or brainstorming sessions. Voice-only conversations reduce visual processing load and often foster more natural dialogue.

Checklist: Optimize Your Video Call Routine

• ☑ Evaluate if a video call is truly necessary
• ☑ Share agendas at least 2 hours in advance
• ☑ Turn off self-view unless presenting
• ☑ Mute when not speaking to reduce auditory clutter
• ☑ Schedule 10-minute buffers between meetings
• ☑ Use speakerphone or headphones to reduce neck strain
• ☑ End meetings early if goals are met

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I feel more tired after a 30-minute Zoom call than a 2-hour in-person meeting?

The fatigue stems from intensified cognitive processing. Video calls demand constant attention to delayed audio, frozen facial expressions, and self-monitoring. In contrast, in-person meetings distribute cognitive load across natural cues and allow for subconscious regulation through movement and environmental interaction.

Are some people more affected by video call fatigue than others?

Yes. Introverts may find video calls especially draining due to sustained social exposure without escape. Individuals with social anxiety or ADHD may also struggle more with attention regulation and sensory overload. Cultural norms around eye contact and expressiveness can further influence fatigue levels.

Can reducing screen time help with video fatigue?

Absolutely. Minimizing non-essential screen use outside of work—such as recreational scrolling or binge-watching—gives the visual cortex a chance to recover. Pairing this with outdoor time or analog activities enhances mental restoration.

Conclusion: Reclaiming Energy in the Digital Age

Video calls are here to stay, but their toll on mental well-being doesn’t have to be inevitable. By recognizing the hidden cognitive costs of virtual communication, we can make intentional choices that preserve energy and enhance clarity. Simple shifts—like embracing audio-only options, limiting self-view, and building recovery time into schedules—can dramatically improve daily resilience.

Organizations should also reconsider defaulting to video for every interaction. Encouraging asynchronous communication, setting camera-use guidelines, and modeling healthy meeting practices can foster a more sustainable remote culture. Ultimately, the goal isn’t to eliminate technology, but to use it in ways that align with human biology—not against it.

💬 How do you manage video call fatigue? Share your strategies in the comments and help others build healthier digital habits.