The phenomenon of “zoom fatigue” captured widespread attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, as millions of employees worldwide pivoted to remote work and relied heavily on video conferencing platforms for daily interactions. Early anecdotal reports and initial scientific inquiries painted a bleak picture: video meetings, it seemed, were more draining than traditional face-to-face gatherings. However, a recent observational study led by Junior Professor Dr. Hadar Nesher Shoshan at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz challenges this deeply ingrained assumption. The following analysis revisits the question of virtual meeting exhaustion, offering new insights from a post-pandemic context that may reshape how organizations approach hybrid and remote work models.
Zoom fatigue was initially understood as a unique form of cognitive and emotional weariness triggered by prolonged video call interactions. Researchers theorized that constant eye contact on screens, the absence of natural social cues, and increased self-consciousness all cumulatively exacerbated mental fatigue. These dynamics were particularly palpable during the height of lockdowns, where video calls were the primary means of work and social exchange. However, new empirical data suggest these earlier findings might have conflated the stressors of pandemic circumstances with the intrinsic qualities of virtual meetings themselves.
In a comprehensive observational study encompassing 125 participants, Nesher Shoshan, collaborating with Assistant Professor Wilken Wehrt from Maastricht University, meticulously documented meeting experiences over a ten-day period. Subjects reported detailed accounts of 945 meetings, specifying whether each was conducted face-to-face or online, their multitasking behavior during meetings, opportunities for physical movement like breaks or stretching, and subjective fatigue ratings post-meeting. Strikingly, 62 percent of these recorded meetings were conducted via video, allowing for robust comparative analysis between modalities.
Contrary to prevailing sentiment and earlier research, the study found no substantial evidence supporting the existence of zoom fatigue under contemporary conditions. The researchers observed that video meetings were not generally more exhausting than traditional in-person meetings. In fact, they identified that video meetings lasting less than 44 minutes were often perceived as less fatiguing than comparable face-to-face interactions. This timeline aligns with organizational best practices recommending shorter, focused meetings to enhance productivity and engagement.
This divergence from prior findings may be explained by the temporal context of data collection. Earlier studies were conducted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdown-induced isolation, pandemic-related anxieties, and drastic disruptions to normal life heavily influenced psychological states. Nesher Shoshan suggests that it was these overarching negative experiences—the loss of social contacts, altered work-life boundaries, and general uncertainty—that likely amplified fatigue associated with virtual meeting environments during that period.
The implications of this updated understanding are substantial. For one, it encourages social scientists and organizational psychologists to persistently verify and replicate findings within their appropriate temporal and social contexts. It is a reminder that psychological phenomena linked to new technology possibly interact with broader situational factors, rather than emerging solely from the medium itself. Within workplace settings, this means many concerns about the long-term harmful effects of video-conferencing on employee well-being might need reconsideration.
Furthermore, these findings offer a more optimistic perspective on hybrid and fully remote work arrangements, which continue to expand post-pandemic. They counter the narrative that online meetings inherently elevate burnout risks, suggesting instead that with thoughtful management—such as limiting meeting duration and allowing breaks—video calls can be a sustainable and less taxing form of communication. This could embolden organizations to invest in improving digital communication infrastructure without fearing exacerbated employee fatigue.
Another important aspect of the study involved controlling for ancillary behaviors during meetings, such as multitasking and physical activity opportunities. Participants that were able to take breaks or stretch their legs reported better subjective well-being, underscoring non-technical factors that moderate fatigue. This reinforces the value of ergonomic considerations and psychological hygiene in virtual work design, extending recommendations beyond the video communication format itself.
While these insights are promising, the study’s observational nature means causality cannot be wholly established, and diverse workforce heterogeneity necessitates careful application. Variables such as individual personality traits, job roles, and organizational culture may still influence fatigue experiences differently. Future research expanding participant demographics and integrating physiological measurements could deepen understanding of the biological mechanisms underpinning cognitive exhaustion in various meeting contexts.
It is also worth noting the methodical rigor exemplified by the study’s real-time diary approach. By collecting data prospectively rather than retrospectively, the researchers minimized recall bias and captured in-situ subjective fatigue experiences with greater precision. This methodological advance strengthens confidence in the nuanced conclusions and may inspire similar approaches in future investigations into the psychological effects of digital communication.
Beyond academia, the study propels a broader cultural reevaluation about digital communication’s role in the post-pandemic era. It challenges stigmatizing attitudes toward remote work and supports evidence-based policies promoting flexible, hybrid participation models tailored to employee needs. As organizations worldwide balance efficiency, mental health, and technological adoption, these findings represent a crucial step toward harmonizing productivity with psychological resilience.
Ultimately, Junior Professor Hadar Nesher Shoshan’s research contributes a timely recalibration of our understanding of video meeting fatigue. By disentangling the effects of digital platforms from the extraordinary social disruptions of the pandemic, the study provides hope that virtual meetings can be effectively integrated into the modern work landscape without compromising well-being. This nuanced perspective offers both scholars and practitioners a more balanced framework from which to navigate the evolving dynamics of workplace communication.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: “Zoom fatigue” revisited: Are video meetings still exhausting post-COVID-19?
News Publication Date: 28-Aug-2025
Web References: 10.1037/ocp0000409
Image Credits: Photo/©: Miriam Diaz
Keywords: Zoom fatigue, video meetings, online exhaustion, remote work, post-pandemic, cognitive fatigue, occupational health, hybrid work models, video conferencing psychology
