There's little doubt you've been on a Zoom call lately you thought "could've been an email." Well, this is an email. And it's a quick, efficient reminder of some things you can do to stay mindful during those interminable, seemingly-endless video calls.

Remember the positives. 

This quick trick for the brain only takes a moment and can liven up your mood during a Monday morning (or Friday late afternoon) Zoom call. There are drawbacks to working from home with no end in sight, certainly, but there are also positives. Here are a few of them:

• You only have to look professional from the chest up. Rock those Christmas jammies every day through July if you want.
• You're in the comfort of your own home. You've got your own desk, kitchen, and bathroom.
• You're saving money without a commute or having to buy an expensive lunch.

Change your view. 

One of the major drawbacks of constant Zoom calls is that you're forced to look at yourself all day, and you probably can't help yourself from doing it. Psychologists say we might be inclined to stare at ourselves in Zoom meetings because we're self-conscious or because we're trying to cope with an inability to multitask. To mitigate this, try going on Speaker View and only look at the person who's talking at the moment. There's also an option to hide your own image from the Gallery — right-click your own video, then select "Hide Myself" — which can help you remain focused and mindful during the meeting. Just remember that other people can still see you!

Remind yourself to engage and listen. 

It's easy to zone out and get drained from seemingly-endless Zoom calls, but remember that everyone else out there is also doing their best. If you think of those speaking to you in a meeting as versions of you, trying to get a point across, you'll be more empathetic and open to listening to them. You can even extend them a little bit of loving-kindness by smiling or offering a compliment. In our effort to remain professional in a time when absolutely nothing has felt "normal," small niceties can go a long way.

Take a moment before and after the Zoom call to breathe, close your eyes, and center yourself.

A Zoom call is a task and frequently a pressure-filled part of your workday. Take the time you need before you go in, do a short meditation, have a snack, or just slow down your breathing. Our workdays have a tendency to fly by at such a frenetic pace that we often forget that we haven't eaten, gone to the bathroom, or even stood up in hours. Remember that you're a human and you deserve the time to settle yourself and check in with your body.

Finally, it's okay to cancel, reschedule, or just...make it an email.

There's a time when too much is too much, and this newsletter is all about being mindful of reality. If you can't join one more Zoom call, it's okay to ask to sit this one out. If you're managing the Zoom call, see if you can keep it to 30 minutes or less. Mental health professionals say COVID-19 fatigue is real and a record number of people are experiencing burnout, anxiety, and related symptoms. Try to keep a consistent meditation schedule if you can. It will help you go easy on yourself and build empathy for others.