Overwhelmed by Virtual Meetings? Here Are 8 Tips to Help Out!

It's been almost a month since Movement Control Order 2.0 (MCO 2.0) began. Some of us have been working from home since the first MCO.

One of the things we have gotten familiar with is video meetings. Perhaps a little too familiar. After all, too much of anything can't be good for you. So, if you're feeling burned out, here are eight ways to manage the stress and exhaustion of video meetings. 

 

1. Don't make meetings long

It's funny how we're working from home, yet we still experience lengthy (virtual) meetings that could have been an email. Now that it's easier for us to host meetings anytime and anywhere, we should not misuse it. There's a reason why some companies implemented stand up meetings to prevent them from being overly long. Ensure that you have a clear agenda and a designated timekeeper to ensure the discussion is not wasting everyone's time.

 

2. What if virtual meetings, but outside?

We are working from home, but that does not mean we should be inside all the time. We need fresh air, and joining a virtual meeting outside and away from people can't hurt. If you don't need to refer to documents, you can take a walk while on a call, for what it's worth it could also help you psychologically. 

 

3. Scribble some notes on paper

There is a good reason why humans prefer pen-to-paper communication, even in the digital age.

According to this study, writing things down by hand activates our brain in a unique way, increasing retention and memory, and producing a deeper cognition level. Even if we have a full schedule, it does not mean we cannot rely on a notebook to keep us more rooted in reality. 

 

4. Say "no" to back-to-back calls 

We probably had a day where we do nothing but attending online meetings all day. How are we supposed to finish our work? This is an excellent time to remember that it might not be the technology that is disrupting us, sometimes it's just a human problem. 

We need to set a clear boundary at work by separating the time for work and meetings. Let our colleagues know that we cannot be available 24/7 just because we're at home. 

The last thing you need is an eye strain from staring at your colleagues virtually for too long.

5. A simple phone call should do the trick

We should also keep in mind that we can still control the way we communicate. A simple phone call or WhatsApp voice chat should be enough to satisfy our social connection needs. 

This is especially useful if you're a multitasking type of person as you don't need to stare at the person talking on video chat. 

 

6. Are you comfortable with your setup?

When working from home, we need to have a designated and focused space in our house for work. Sure, if you're the kind of person who can work while on the bed, more power to you! But many people need to work from home the same way they would work at the office.

Here are some tips to make your home workspace more comfortable:

• When facing your laptop, do not hunch.
• Ensure that you are not facing a screen with too much light coming from behind it as you might hurt your eyes.
• Ensure your eyes are level with the screen.
• Ensure your feet are on the ground and your hands are on the keyboard without straining. 

 

7. Your eyes could use some rest

Even if you have a top-notch home office setup, your eyes need a break from the screen time. Between meetings, you should try to get out if possible. Look out the window, try to see things far away so your eyes can relax.

Doctors suggest a full 10-to-15 minute break from screen time for every two hours of work. Blue-light blocking glasses can also help relieve eye strain. 

 

8. If you are a manager, provide "office hours."

Many managers find themselves in video meetings back-to-back. They are used to being more readily available to their staff, who might be used to more hands-on support and oversight. 

Try to make yourself available for designated office hours in the morning, noon, and towards the end of the day. This way, if one of your employees is stuck and in need of your help, they do not need to schedule a one-on-one meeting with you, they will know that they can simply contact you during the designated office hours. 

 

These eight tips should make your workday more bearable, especially when handling virtual meetings. If you also have a piece of advice, please share it with us in the comments below!

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