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All Zoomed Out?

Article content THE CONVERSATION



This article first appeared on The Conversation, an independent and non-profit source for news, analysis and other information from academic experts. You can find disclosure information on the original website.
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All Zoomed out? Zoom fatigue during the holiday season: How to deal



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Author: Jaigris HODSON, Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Royal Roads University



Article content It's official. The Christmas holidays in North America and Western Europe will be very different this year. We've been instructed to use online tools to share the holiday spirit with our loved ones since the second wave of pandemics. In fact, we may be tempted to attend celebrations to try to limit the spread of COVID-19 prior the announcement of the vaccine.



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Do we just forget about the holidays? Or do we look for new ways to make them memorable? My research into digital literacy has revealed ways to connect this holiday season, even when we stay physically apart.



Video is the answer to everything



The first few months of the pandemic was filled with Zoom fever. People were also rushing to work, happy hour and board game nights and other events. Then many people felt like they hit a wall. Zoom fatigue is real. Recent research suggests that the constant efforts to connect via video chat platforms (Zoom, Skype, Teams and others) may actually be wearing us out.



Article content So while you consider how to spread joy during the holidays, you're hoping to figure out ways to step away from everything that is done through video chat. Instead, you should learn from the ways that digital natives utilize digital communication tools and celebrate the season with various platforms, as I'll outline below.



Different platforms for different social groups



My research has revealed that teenagers are less likely to utilize social media platforms in a manner that is based on their relationships with these platforms. For example, teenagers use Facebook to keep connected with their family and teachers, but use Snapchat with their friends. They play massive multiplayer games.



This type of interaction with digital technology makes sense for everyone. Zoom is an excellent tool for working. However, Zoom users may also want to explore other technologies to connect with their families and friends. You can make use of apps like Rave, Airtime, or Teleparty to share your favorite movies synchronously with your friends. Or you could visit your family and friends online in games like Animal Crossing, World of Warcraft, or Minecraft.



Article content Get digitally imaginative



There are many other ways you can connect with loved ones to spread some holiday joy. The sky, and your imagination, are the limit, but here are a few of my favorites:



Share and curate music playlists. Research has shown that sharing music is linked to friendship. You can create your own holiday music playlist using an online streaming platform such as Spotify and share it with friends this season of giving. This could make you more connected as you order food online, play games and share holiday-themed memes with your WhatsApp Group.



Text messages Text messages: A 2016 University of Minnesota study found that text messages are viewed as more intimate and warm than email. Stay in contact with your loved ones throughout the holiday season by sending frequent text messages. You can also send emojis and gifs to your loved ones via text messages to enhance your emotional connection.



Article content Host a virtual new Year's celebration on YouTube A Christmas supper is an important Scottish holiday tradition where family and friends get together and sing, share stories and dance. YouTube allows you to create a virtual ceilidh for the people you cherish. Each participant can upload a video of themselves singing a song, telling a story, reciting a poem or playing a musical instrument. You can then curate the videos into a playlist that the entire group can enjoy while eating their Christmas cookies. YouTube is a platform where communities are formed and videos are shared.



Turn on, tune in, and then go out.



The holidays can be stressful. You might be attracted by every invitation. But, you have to take some time to disconnect from your digital devices. Some universities suggest that their doctoral students put in digital detox time to fight Zoom fatigue.



Article content Sometimes, you'll need to make use of Videoconferencing platforms to recreate a holiday meal or cocktail party. To prevent exhaustion, be sure to keep in mind other ways of connecting mentioned above.



And while you step away from your computer, don't forget the old-fashioned ways to keep in touch. You can send cards, phone or mail your loved ones. Sometimes, these are the most meaningful because they occur so often in our uber-connected world.



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Jaigris Hodson has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Canada Research Chairs Program.



https://theconversation.com/all-zoomed-out-how-to-deal-with-zoom-fat https://theconversation.com/all-zoo


Here's my website: https://mclijst.nl/