How do you deal with phone fatigue?

Phone fatigue is the feeling of exhaustion, irritation, or boredom that can result from spending too much time on the phone, especially for customer service representatives. It can affect your mood, productivity, and quality of service. Fortunately, there are some ways to cope with phone fatigue and prevent it from affecting your performance and well-being. Here are some tips to help you deal with phone fatigue.

1 Recognize the signs

If you are experiencing phone fatigue, it’s important to recognize the signs. Common symptoms include feeling tired, stressed, or overwhelmed by the number or duration of calls; losing interest, enthusiasm, or empathy for the callers; difficulty concentrating, listening, or remembering details; frustration, annoyance, or anger with the callers or yourself; and headaches, eye strain, or neck pain from using the phone. If you notice any of these signs, it means that you need to take some action to reduce your phone fatigue.

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Nicole Siegel

Personal Risk Services | Chubb Insurance
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I have found this helpful when coping with phone fatigue, especially in a workplace that does not offer limitless unscheduled breaks is to avoid multitasking during calls. Research shows that people trying to complete multiple tasks at once cuts into performance. Make sure take necessary breaks, and avoid working through lunch. Take time to nourish your body, and your mind! I always aim to keep a mindset to believe it takes a genuine and kind hearted person to have the ability to empathize, and wield social skills in order to build rapport with clients. Being able to show care and compassion for others is critical when working in this type of field to better get the information needed, and both ends of the phone have a positive outcome!

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Nashat Semrin

Passionate Customer Service Associate | Dedicated to Elevating Customer Experience and Satisfaction
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In my experience, finding the right balance for you is essential to maintain your well-being and productivity. I would -Schedule Breaks: Short breaks between calls to rest and recharge. - Use headsets or speakerphones to reduce physical strain. - Give full attention during calls to reduce mental fatigue. -Limit Call Lengths: Aim for shorter, focused calls when possible. -Drink water and practice self-care. - Regular exercise to boosts energy levels. -Communicate Needs: Seek support or adjustments if needed.

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2 Take breaks

To combat phone fatigue, it's essential to take regular breaks from the phone. Breaks can help you relax, recharge, and refocus. During your break, you could stretch, move, or exercise your body to relieve tension and improve blood circulation. Additionally, drinking water, eating a healthy snack, or breathing deeply can hydrate and nourish you. Listening to music, reading a book, or meditating can also help calm your mind and emotions. Chatting with a colleague, friend, or family member can be a great way to socialize and vent. Doing something fun, creative, or rewarding can also boost your mood and motivation. Aim for at least 10 minutes of break time every hour or after a few calls depending on your schedule and workload. Remember to avoid checking your phone, email, or social media during breaks as they can add to stress and distraction.

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3 Vary your tasks

To combat phone fatigue, it's important to vary your tasks and activities throughout the day. Doing the same thing over and over can make you feel bored, monotonous, and unproductive. By changing up your tasks and activities, you can stimulate your brain, challenge yourself to learn new skills or solve new problems, use different modes of communication and interaction, explore different topics, perspectives, or goals that interest you or benefit you, and have a sense of progress and accomplishment by completing different tasks and projects. To ensure that you're getting enough variety in your workday, try to schedule some time for non-phone tasks and activities every day. If needed, you can also ask your manager or supervisor for more variety or flexibility in your tasks and assignments.

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4 Set boundaries

To reduce phone fatigue, it is important to set boundaries for yourself and others regarding your phone use and availability. These boundaries can help protect your time, energy, and privacy. Establish a clear and consistent schedule for your phone hours and communicate it to callers, colleagues, and managers. If a call is not urgent, important, or relevant to your work, decline or postpone it. Additionally, turn off or silence your phone when you are not working or on breaks. If you feel overwhelmed or underappreciated by your phone work, seek support or feedback from your manager or supervisor. By setting boundaries, you can reduce phone fatigue and improve your phone etiquette while avoiding burnout, conflict, or resentment that can result from overusing or misusing the phone.

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LaKeisha W.

Emergency Management Coordinator @ Mary Washington Healthcare | Safety Protocols, Crisis Management, Emergency Preparedness
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Initially, the words setting boundaries seemed like a trend. But setting boundaries are actually a thing and a positive thing and can combat phone fatigue. Setting aside a time or multiple hours set out in a day to be away from my phone is important so that you do not become burnt out. I had to start doing this by setting an alarm so that I could physically take myself away from my phone. Taking breaks away from my phone then started to become a habit and I became less stressed. I began to engage in offline, phone free activities. This all began by setting a boundary, sticking to my schedule of being away from my phone and making it a habit. Consistency is key to alleviating phone fatigue in this way.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you deal with phone fatigue?

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1 Recognize the signs

2 Take breaks

3 Vary your tasks

4 Set boundaries

5 Here’s what else to consider

Phone Etiquette

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