According to the latest research, you can use simple gestures like putting a hand on the heart or a thumb up can make video calls endurable. 

Researchers create a Video Meeting Signal system. 

With many people working remotely, the number of video conferencing platforms has grown massively. Unfortunately, preliminary studies have shown that interacting with coworkers regularly via a screen instead of in person might result in poor mental health, muddled communication, and weariness.

University of Exeter and University College London researchers have created a system dubbed Video Meeting Signals to help address virtual meeting problems. The signals include a hand at the heart expressing sympathy and thumbs up showing agreement. 

Although they predate verbal communication, signals are a highly human form of communication that has been employed far less frequently in videoconferencing. The research now shows that hand signals not only do they facilitate communication in the digital age but also have psychological advantages. This study highlights how gestures, in particular, facilitate online conversations and encourage interpersonal connection and engagement.

UCL’s Paul Hills said, “This can improve team performance, make meetings more inclusive and help with psychological well-being.”

Interestingly the study evaluated the system with over 100 undergraduates. Although all the undergraduates participated in the videoconference-based sessions in groups of ten, only half learned how to use the approach before completing a survey about their learning experience.

VMS program ensured positive attitudes towards conference group 

Individuals who had previously completed the VMS program acknowledged having a better overall encounter and positive attitudes towards their conference cohort. According to a review of the seminar recordings, students who had received VMS training appeared to be more inclined to employ positive statements.

Teleconferencing might be challenging to tell if individuals are paying attention to what you are discussing since you can’t maintain eye contact or detect tiny nods, murmurs, or gestures of disagreement or agreement. Although answer buttons and emojis have been tried to improve telecommunication, researchers discovered compelling evidence that using gestures has a positive impact.