Most people dread virtual meetings. They fear that they will be awkward and boring, with people checking their email or dozing off in front of their computer screens. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a few simple tips, you can make your next virtual meeting more relaxed and productive. There are many ways to do this, from setting a casual tone to taking breaks during the meeting. Let’s take a look at some of the ways to make your video meetings more relaxed.

Set The Tone

First, set the tone for your virtual meeting early. Make sure you’re dressed casually and that everyone understands that it’s going to be an informal gathering. Start with a few friendly ice breakers for Zoom meetings and conversations before getting into the business of the day. This will help people feel more relaxed and in the right environment to have a productive meeting. Try to keep the tone light and provide some humorous anecdotes to keep everyone engaged. This will help ensure that the conversation stays on track and everyone feels more relaxed. You could also try playing some calming music to signal the start of the meeting.

Encourage Breaks & Self-Care 

It’s important to give people breaks during a virtual meeting, especially if it’s a lengthy one. People need time to take care of themselves–mentally and physically. Encourage people to get up and move around, stretch, or take a quick walk. This will boost morale and help people be more focused and productive when the meeting resumes. You should also encourage people to take breaks for meals or snacks, as well as for personal breaks. This will help to keep energy levels up and give everyone a chance to relax and refocus.

Include Fun Activities 

Another way to make your virtual meetings more relaxed is to include some fun activities. For example, you could have a trivia question or game at the beginning of each meeting or play some sort of game during the call. This will help to break up the monotony of long conversations and give everyone an opportunity to engage with each other in a more relaxed atmosphere. At the end of the day, your virtual meeting should be enjoyable and productive. If you can make it fun and relaxed, then everyone will be more productive and engaged.

Use Creative Communication Tools

It’s important to use tools that make it easier for people to communicate during video meetings. For example, you could use tools like breakout rooms to allow people to have private conversations. You could also use a whiteboard or virtual sketchpad to brainstorm ideas and present concepts. These tools can help make it easier for everyone to communicate and engage in the conversation, resulting in better outcomes from your meetings. You should also consider setting up a chatroom so that people can ask questions or provide feedback without interrupting the flow of conversation. This will help people feel more comfortable and relaxed. In addition, using visual aids such as images or videos can be a great way to engage people and keep them focused.

Check-In With Everybody

Make sure to check in with everyone throughout the meeting. Ask how people are feeling and if they have any questions or concerns. This will help create a more relaxed atmosphere as people feel that their opinions and feelings are being heard and respected. It also gives you an opportunity to address any issues or problems right away instead of letting them simmer in the background. When everyone feels comfortable, the meeting will be more productive and relaxed. You can also use check-ins as a way to boost morale and recognize the contributions of each individual. When checking in with everyone, make sure to give each person a chance to speak up and share their opinion. This will help ensure that everyone feels involved in the conversation.

Be Open to Feedback

Be open to feedback from your participants. Everyone’s opinion matters, so take the time to listen and consider their suggestions for making virtual meetings more relaxed. This could involve making changes to the structure of the meeting, giving people more time for breaks, or introducing new activities or tools. Being open to feedback will help foster a sense of collaboration and trust between everyone in the group.

Don’t Hold Unnecessary Meetings

Try to avoid holding unnecessary meetings. It’s important to be mindful of people’s time and schedules when planning virtual meetings. If a meeting is not necessary, let it go. This will free up more time for everyone involved to relax and recharge. A good way to ensure that meetings are not unnecessary is to make sure each meeting has a clear purpose and agenda. This will ensure that the meetings stay focused and on track, making them more productive and relaxed for everyone involved.

Offer Feedback And Consistency

Offer feedback to participants at the end of each meeting. This will allow them to improve their performance and become more engaged in future meetings. Offering consistency is also important, as it helps create a sense of stability and trust between everyone involved. Make sure that you are providing clear instructions before each meeting and that everyone is aware of any changes to the agenda or meeting structure. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and can be more relaxed in future meetings.

Overall, making your virtual meetings more relaxed requires a bit of effort and creativity. However, these tips will help you create a space where everyone feels comfortable, engaged, and productive. By using creative communication tools, setting up check-ins, being open to feedback, and avoiding unnecessary meetings, you can ensure that everyone has a relaxed and enjoyable experience during your virtual meetings. Make sure to be mindful of everyone’s time and offer feedback to ensure that everyone is getting the most out of their experience. With a little bit of effort, you can make sure that your virtual meetings are productive, engaging, and relaxed. And that’s something everyone can benefit from. We hope that this article was helpful!