During the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns, working from home has taken off, with remote communications taking the place of physical meetings – and this has given rise to a condition that has come to be knows as Zoom anxiety.
The widespread adoption of video calling has brought its own set of challenges, with many people feel unnatural and awkward when having to speak on camera, causing a physical feeling of panic when called upon to talk on video.
To find the biggest causes of Zoom anxiety, presentation design agency Buffalo 7 surveyed 2 066 people who work from home to reveal the biggest issues.
The biggest triggers of Zoom anxiety were found to be:
* Presenting – 42%
* Interviews – 25%
* Client meetings – 18%
* Team catch-ups – 15%
When asked, “have you experienced Zoom or video call anxiety this year”, 73% of respondents said yes. These findings are supported by Google, with an 180% increase in UK residents searching for the term “Zoom anxiety” between March and December 2020.
Being on a video call requires more focus than a face-to-face chat or a regular phone call, which might be why 76% of people said they found that video calls made them more anxious than telephone calls, and 48% found them worse than face to face meetings.
Other concerns cited were:
* 83% said having tech/audio problems and not knowing how to fix them was their biggest Zoom anxiety trigger.
* 67% not being able to read caller’s body language caused anxiety.
* 56% said feeling like you’re being unheard caused anxiety.
* 41% said being put on a call without having time to prepare your appearance caused stress.
* 34% said they worried about their background looking unprofessional.
James Robinson, marketing manager at Buffalo 7, says: “Of course, 2020 wasn’t short on anxiety, and we’ve all had a lot to deal with. However, with a huge 73% of respondents saying they’ve struggled with Zoom anxiety at some point over the past 12 months, it’s clear that for many video calls bring with them their own set of challenges.
“Everyone is struggling this year, and if you do suffer from Zoom Anxiety, look to discuss your problems with your boss, or follow the steps we’ve set out. For example, some of these issues come down to confidence – so if you are struggling with tech, could you put aside some time beforehand to learn about common problems, so you’re not caught out when they happen on calls?
“We’re all under a lot of stress recently, and the worst thing you can do for yourself and for your colleagues is add extra pressure on yourself. Always remember – you’re doing great.”
With 15% of respondents saying that having to manage the call screen alongside presentations and documents was a cause of Zoom Anxiety, and more of us than ever before now attending or conducting interviews via video, presenting through Zoom is clearly an anxiety-inducing activity.
To help you overcome nerves, Buffalo 7 offers these five quick tips:
* Practice your presentation – If you’re using PowerPoint to show slides, rehearse along with it so you know exactly what image is coming up next – this will help you cycle through slides smoothly. Make sure you know the basics of PowerPoint and how to solve common issues – such as hings like pressing B if your screen accidentally goes black.
* Treat video calls the same – Try and think of a video presentation as the same as a regular one, and react accordingly. If you move your hands around a lot in real life, do so on the call – it’ll feel more natural. If interviewing, don’t be afraid to exaggerate – smile more, laugh more. Sell what you’re feeling across the screen.
* Be tech prepared – Test your presentation with a friend beforehand so that you’re prepared for any potential tech and audio issues. Make sure you know how to share screens and how to fix common microphone problems. Check your internet connection before you start the real call.
* Face your fears – Remind yourself that nobody ever died from doing a presentation; there is nothing to be scared of. Remember that you are coming across better on screen than you think you are, and any pauses which feel negative on the other side are probably tech related and say nothing about their mood.
* Focus on the physical – If you suffer from anxiety in stressful situations, look at the things you can control. Eating healthily and exercising beforehand always help, and make sure you limit your \caffeine intake before the call! The less stressed you are, the less anxious you’ll be.
Other quick tips to help alleviate the problem include: limiting calls, cancelling cameras, allowing recharge time, giving notice, and communicating concerns.