That post-class exhaustion isn’t in your head—Stanford researchers found video calls cause 48% more mental fatigue than in-person meetings. At Paris American International University (PAIU), we’ve developed science-backed strategies to help you stay energized.

Why Zoom Drains You

• Hyper gaze: Staring at faces/yourself is unnatural
• Cognitive load: Reading muted social cues is exhausting
• Physical stagnation: Sitting perfectly framed burns energy

5 Combat Tactics

1. The “20-20-20 Rule”

Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

2. Hide Self-View

Right-click your video → “Hide self view” to reduce anxiety.

3. Voice-Only Participation

Ask professors if audio-only contributions are allowed sometimes.

4. Stand-Up Meetings

Use a stack of books as a makeshift standing desk.

5. Virtual Background Detox

Switch to a blank background to minimize visual clutter.

PAIU Professor’s Tip

*”I build 5-minute ‘cam-off’ breaks into long seminars.”* — Dr. Elena M., PAIU Faculty

When to Seek Help

If fatigue persists, you might be experiencing:

• Digital eye strain (try blue light glasses)
• Social burnout (schedule offline activities)

Your degree shouldn’t drain you—try these tweaks today!