Over a year into the Covid-19 pandemic, more people are increasingly familiar with “Zoom fatigue,” the tiredness and burnout caused by overuse of videoconferencing tools such as Zoom.
Zoom fatigue, however, can hit people differently depending on whether they are extroverts, who need more external stimuli to recharge their batteries, or introverts, who can be depleted by too much stimulation.
Surprisingly, some medical experts say the toll of these video tools might be harder on extroverts. The reality is that both personality types prefer socializing in person, even if they do so differently. Here’s a look at the difficulties extroverts and introverts face with videoconferencing, and some workarounds depending on which part of the personality spectrum people land on.
Extroverts: Diminishing returns
After the pandemic hit, lots of people loaded their work and social calendars with videoconferences and virtual happy hours. To many people—extroverts in particular—it seemed like a smart, fun and safe way to see people.
The experience, however, has proved to be less rewarding to many extroverts. “Zoom does not provide the same visceral feedback as a live conversation, so it is less satisfying,” says Roger McIntyre, a professor of psychiatry and pharmacology at the University of Toronto.
