You know that feeling when you sit in front of the computer all day and after a while your back turns to stone, fine sand appears under your eyes and you feel like your brain has already left the chat room? Now imagine that these are also the feelings that online conference participants can have after a full day of virtual events. This is an effect that every organizer would like to avoid. However, in order to do this properly, you first need to understand the reasons for it.

Zoom fatique

It sounds enigmatic, but it is actually a feeling that anyone who has worked remotely has probably experienced. It is online meeting fatigue syndrome, which resembles job burnout in its symptoms. Stanford University researchers have identified several causes of this condition:

• reduced mobility - we are stuck to a computer, tablet, or another device all day, which simply makes our bodies tired
• intensive eye contact at close range - we look at the bright screen of the device in question, on which, in addition, something is constantly happening
• increased cognitive intensity - our brain has to constantly analyze what is going on

The above elements analogously occur at online and hybrid events. We are sitting in front of a computer all day, looking at speakers at close range and, in addition, having to constantly process what these people are talking about. This is why breaks are such a key part of any online event. At stationary events, we usually have time set aside to stretch our bones, have lunch, or exchange a few sentences with others. So we can't deprive event participants who join online of this opportunity! Add one or more breaks to the agenda, and set aside time for networking - simply allowing your guests to catch their breath will certainly have a positive impact on their perception of the event.

The attention curve

Another phenomenon that has scientific proof is the so-called attention curve. This is a graph showing how the attention of a participant in an event is positioned. In the beginning, it is at its highest level, but after a while it drops noticeably, only to rise momentarily at the end. As organizers, we must therefore come to terms with the fact that the visitor to our event will not be paying close attention to all the speeches all the time. However, by taking this fact into account, we can sensibly compile the event program in such a way that it is easier for the participant to remain engaged and attentive.

Multitasking

The computer on which an attendee views an online event is often also their work tool. A tempting option for an attendee, then, is to treat the event as a podcast (unless it's a flamenco dance show) while simultaneously answering emails, scrolling Linkedin, and finishing work on an important document. Seems harmless, right? However, research shows that multitasking, i.e. doing several tasks simultaneously, significantly reduces the level of task completion. By trying to do everything at once, we ensure that no task will be completed 100%. It is therefore advisable to keep your work hygienic and focus on one thing - in this case, active participation in the event.

In conclusion, it is important to remember one thing - the pandemic has not changed our brains. We still react in the same way to information overload, information overload, or stress. However, more scientific research on the subject has emerged and, as a result, we have more knowledge on how to act to prevent zoom fatigue and get the most out of every online and hybrid event.