10 functional health predictions for 2024, according to a doctor and a wellness expert

Heading into a new year, we all want to stay as healthy as possible — and some doctors believe that identifying and eliminating the issues that cause disease are critical actions to take, as opposed to treating and reacting to symptoms afterward. 

Known as "functional medicine," this alternative form of health care has drawn mixed reviews over the years. 

Some claim it lacks scientific evidence and that the treatments aren’t standardized. Yet some studies — including one by Cleveland Clinic — have found that functional medicine was associated with improvements in health-related quality of life. 

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Shilpa P. Saxena, M.D., chief medical officer of Forum Health in Tampa, Florida, shared with Fox News Digital the 10 functional health trends she expects will see growth in 2024.

Melanie Avalon, a health influencer, entrepreneur and biohacker based in Atlanta, Georgia, also weighed in on these emerging trends.

Identifying the earliest signs of disease or dysfunction, functional medicine doctors believe, is key to managing health imbalances, said Saxena.

"Whether it's genomics, hormones, microbiome assessments or nutrition-oriented physical examination, better information leads to bigger transformation," she told Fox News Digital.

The conventional medical system typically approaches disease and illness retroactively, often by prescribing drugs for conditions defined by an active barometer — such as medication for diabetes, statins for problematic cholesterol and chemotherapy for late-stage cancer, Avalon agreed.

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"A paradigm shift toward diagnostics, which can establish earlier benchmarks for disease pathways, will be key to the shift from disease management to disease prevention," she told Fox News Digital.

Preventative cancer screenings have given Americans at least 12 million more years of life and saved at least $6.5 trillion in added economic impact, according to a recent study published in BMC Health Services Research.

"Savvy patients are figuring out that waiting for an issue to be ‘bad enough’ to warrant a mediocre treatment isn’t a wise strategy for long-term health," Saxena said. 

"More patients are turning to functional and integrative medicine providers who understand that early detection and prevention are smarter, more sustainable strategies for well-being."

Patients should take an active role in understanding their own risk factors — and take action to mitigate them, said Avalon.

As an example, "a person with a genetic tendency for Alzheimer’s disease can work with functional and integrative medicine providers, and implement lifestyle and biohacking techniques to reduce the chances of developing cognitive decline," she said.

Wearing a wristband, watch or ring that monitors vital health information is becoming mainstream, Saxena said. 

"Not long ago, devices like these were targeted at health enthusiasts, but now we will see progressive medical offices asking to synchronize your wearable's data to guide your care plan and track your response to it along the way," she predicted.

Avalon said she is "thrilled" that today’s wearable devices are providing doctors with a more detailed, comprehensive overview of their patients, "beyond the snapshot of a doctor’s office."

She added, "These wearables are also excellent for prevention, as they can often identify changes in a person’s biology indicating a path toward illness before the person feels acutely sick, allowing them to rest and potentially fight off illness before it takes over."

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Heading into 2024, Avalon predicted that wearables may also become pertinent in the pet sphere, allowing cat and dog owners to better identify and tackle illness in their furry loved ones.

As more people advocate for their own health care, there's been a proliferation of apps that can track virtually any aspect of wellness, Saxena noted — "anything from your next anticipated period, if you’re in atrial fibrillation, or how many carbs are in the smoothie you’re about to consume," she said.

"Access to information is pushing the patient into the driver’s seat."

As Avalon pointed out, many apps use artificial intelligence to help users keep track of and interpret their data, whether it’s monitoring bloodwork, tracking carb and fat-burning data or testing blood glucose levels.

"Some apps even provide access to personalized human help within the app," she said.

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"This trifecta of data, AI algorithms and a human eye when appropriate transforms what could be an overwhelming pool of information into applicable, personalized action steps."

Saxena predicted that in 2024, there will be a growth in, and demand for, regenerative medicine — the practice of enabling the body to "repair, regenerate and restore itself to a state of well-being," as defined by Mayo Clinic.

"With functional medicine, you can choose to take your own stem cells and inject them back into your knee and literally regrow cartilage to experience dramatically less pain and increased function," Saxena said, as an example. 

"Options like these are available for some of the most common degenerative diseases and make procedures like knee replacements with clunky hardware look like antiquated procedures."

While there has been some controversy surrounding stem cell treatments, Avalon noted, she said she believes there is "enormous regenerative potential within our very bodies."

"The advent and evolution of endogenous stem cell-releasing supplements may also provide a pathway to support the healing power of stem cells," she predicted.

Hydration IV bars have grown in popularity in recent years — but beyond one-size-fits-all treatments, Saxena said she foresees greater demand for more tailored IV therapies next year.

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"Functional health care professionals can select from a menu of research-driven innovative therapies that utilize strategic nutrients, ultraviolet light and ozone delivered directly into the bloodstream to reduce inflammation, remove persistent infections, resolve autoimmunity and remove toxins — all carefully prescribed to heal the patient during each stage of their recovery journey," she told Fox News Digital.

While Avalon said she believes IV therapy has a "great potential benefit" in supporting health and combating disease, she recommended that patients "do their homework" and make sure they're working with a knowledgeable practitioner. 

"In particular, are they receiving the nutrients and therapies appropriate for them, in the most effective and cost-sensitive way possible?" 

Gut health has long been recognized as a major factor in overall wellness, as the balance of bacteria within the digestive system impacts everything from the immune system to cardiovascular risk.

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"Old becomes new again as functional medicine leverages ancient healing systems’ evidence alongside modern scientific research," Saxena predicted. 

"Connections between the gut microbiome, immunity and brain performance are opportunities that promise improved protection from some of the most feared consequences of disease and aging."

"Modern medicine is finally catching up to what ancient wisdom has known for centuries — that health and disease often starts in the gut," Avalon added. 

Sugar, obesity and insulin resistance will continue to be revealed as the "undiagnosed causes of disease and death for almost every adult in America," Saxena predicted.

In addition to using traditional medications to keep disease at bay, the doctor said that functional medicine will help patients make the necessary lifestyle choices to "correct the cause and enhance the health of every single cell in the body."

Even simple lifestyle changes can have profound effects on metabolic health, Avalon agreed, "which itself is often the foundation for many subsequent diseases."

To prevent and potentially reverse metabolic syndrome, Avalon recommended embracing a whole-foods diet, practicing time-restricted eating, getting proper sleep and ensuring daily exercise. 

"Better yet, optimizing just one of these areas often leads to a snowball effect, inspiring vitality in the other areas as well," she told Fox News Digital.

Historically, prescriptions and procedures have been the mainstay of insurance-covered care, Saxena noted.

"While getting coverage for the latest ‘wonder’ drug may feel like winning the lottery, functional medicine patients will be employing the latest innovations in neurofeedback, pulsed electromagnetic field or vagal nerve stimulation to counteract the effects of everything from post-COVID heart disease to stress-related cognitive decline," she predicted.

As a biohacker, Avalon relies on a myriad of devices to help support optimal physical and mental health and wellness. 

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"I personally use many of these devices — from sound wave therapy, to red and NIR light, to fNIRS neurofeedback — to fight insomnia, reduce my stress levels, combat anxiety and boost physical performance," she told Fox News Digital.

In 2024, Saxena said she believes consumers will invest more in their health and demand better care. 

"They will be more willing to pay out of pocket to receive personalized care, price transparency and the freedom to try the latest therapies and treatments without restriction from insurance companies," she predicted. 

"More consumers will start realizing that receiving proper care will be less expensive in the end than to suffer from the same condition for years without the underlying condition ever being addressed."

With the increasing amount of health information accessible to the general population, Avalon said there's been a growing demand for more personalized care. 

"Unless or until we have a medical and insurance system truly based on disease prevention, patients are going to need to continue to pursue access via their wallet to proper comprehensive and individualized health care," she said.

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Gratitude practices can improve both physical and mental health, expert says: ‘Profound effects’

It’s easy to fall into the "complaint trap" these days — but shifting to a mindset of gratitude can do wonders for body and mind.

That’s according to Dr. Anne-Katherin Eiselt from Teladoc Health, a behavioral scientist and neuroscientist based in Washington, D.C.

Gratitude has been scientifically linked to reduced stress, lowered heart rate and improved emotional regulation, the doctor said.

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Heading into the sometimes stressful holiday season, Eiselt shared with Fox News Digital the core benefits of gratitude and tips to help people cultivate the practice.

"Practicing gratitude can lead to significant positive effects on both mental and physical well-being," Eiselt said. 

The act of expressing gratitude activates specific regions of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with emotion regulation, problem-solving and feelings of connection, the doctor said.

Cultivating gratitude can also lower the activity in brain areas related to stress, negative emotions and fear. 

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"By practicing gratitude regularly, we can strengthen those neural pathways associated with a positive mood and mental well-being, much as a workout strengthens a muscle, and create a more resilient mindset," said Eiselt. 

Being grateful can also influence our physical health in surprising ways.

"Our mind and body are interconnected, both influencing and responding to each other," said Eisert. 

When we entertain negative thoughts, that can trigger the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, which shifts the body into a "fight or flight" mode. 

"This stress response has profound effects on our body, and over time may contribute to chronic conditions and obesity," she said. 

Focusing on gratitude and maintaining a positive mindset can help "buffer" this stress response and enhance mood, coping abilities and overall well-being, said Eisert.

One of the major physical manifestations of gratitude is improved sleep.

"Practicing gratitude can improve sleep quality by calming down the nervous system and helping the body to enter a state of relaxation," Eisert said.

Emphasizing the positive aspects of our lives can also reduce the intrusive and negative thoughts that often disrupt sleep, the doctor pointed out.

"This is particularly important during the holiday season, a time often marked by increased stress and commotion," Eiselt told Fox News Digital.

Another critical physical benefit is the effect that gratitude has on the cardiovascular system. 

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"Some studies have suggested that practicing gratitude may lead to lower blood pressure, reduced inflammation and other cardiovascular benefits," said Eisert.

"Chronic stress and persistent negative emotions can contribute to health problems — and practicing gratitude and relaxation has been shown to counteract these negative effects."

While gratitude tends to get more focus during the holiday season, practicing it consistently is associated with reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress, as well as a greater satisfaction with life, said Eisert. 

This "important yet simple" practice can easily be implemented into everyday routines, she said. 

Many people choose to participate in gratitude journaling or meditation, said Eiselt — "but you can also start to establish a gratitude mindset, which includes reframing some of the challenging moments in your daily life by shifting your thoughts and inner self-talk toward the things you are thankful for."

Find a window of time during the day when you can set aside a few minutes, she suggested — "before you go to bed, during your morning coffee or maybe even your lunch break" — to focus on your reasons for feeling grateful.

Next, find a comfortable spot and set a timer for a designated amount of time. This could be as brief as five minutes or a longer practice of 15 to 20 minutes.

"Think about what you are grateful for — there is nothing too small," said Eiselt. "It could be anything from the sunrise to the feeling of fresh air on your skin."

As you think about each source of gratitude, Eiselt said you could make a list, write a letter, pen a journal entry or reflect on stories you've heard from others. 

"Studies have shown that listening to others’ stories of gratefulness can be just as effective, as long as it is genuine," she said. 

For those who aren’t sure where to start, there are also guided gratitude meditations available. 

Another impactful yet simple way to practice gratitude is to thank someone every day, said Eiselt. 

"Start by thinking of something kind or generous that someone has done for you recently that made you thankful," she suggested. 

"You can write about it or even reach out to thank them. They will most likely appreciate hearing from you, and you might start a chain of kindness and gratefulness, inspiring others to be more thankful, too."

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When it comes to building a routine of practicing gratitude, Eiselt noted that "there is no one-size-fits-all — in order for it to stick, it needs to fit into your day and busy life."

"Practicing gratitude is not about completing another item on your to-do list," she said. "It is about becoming aware, about noticing and acknowledging the good things around us."

For optimal mental and physical health, a gratitude practice should be complemented by other healthy lifestyle behaviors, Eiselt said.

Those include eating well, getting proper sleep, being physically active and spending time outdoors in the sunlight, as well as engaging in positive social interactions.

"These all contribute to better health and increased feelings of well-being," she said.

Above all, practicing gratitude involves recognizing and acknowledging the good things, experiences and people in our lives, said Eiselt.

"Nurturing a gratitude mindset starts by changing our self-talk or inner monologue as we interpret the world from a different lens," she said. 

"It takes conscious effort, yet the benefits for both our mental and physical well-being are well worth it."

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As physical therapist practices in America face staffing shortages, kids are 'suffering,' say experts

The physical therapist will not see you now.

Outpatient physical therapist (PT) practices are experiencing severe staff shortages, with the highest vacancy rates at 17%, according to a recent report by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), a nonprofit group based in Virginia. 

The report is based on survey responses from 133 outpatient physical therapy practices across the U.S., which include 2,615 clinics and some 11,000 full-time employees, ranging from support staff to PTs. The survey was conducted between May 25 and June 16.

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The pandemic may have accelerated the staffing shortage, but only 1.7% of owners of physical therapy practices cited COVID-19 as the primary reason for leaving, per the press release.

Here is more detail about the survey results — and what they mean. 

Most survey respondents said the big drivers of employee loss were salary, relocation and work-life balance issues.

Among the business owners, 37.3% cited relocation, 25.4% blamed salary and 22.9% said issues with work-life balance were the reason that employees left practices.

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"There is certainly a shortage of physical therapists, especially here in New York, and the pediatric population is suffering," Dr. Susan Taddonio, assistant professor at Long Island University and a practicing pediatric physical therapist based in New York, told Fox News Digital.

Physical therapists are also retiring, changing careers or selling their practices to corporate entities, added Taddonio, who was not involved in the survey.

"The sad fact is that we go into physical therapy with a major desire to improve the lives of the people we serve … and the rewards at the end make meeting the costs of living and paying off student debt difficult at best," Dr. Marilyn Moffat, professor of physical therapy at New York University in New York, New York, told Fox News Digital. 

It's tough for many potential students to rationalize investing in a physical therapy education that may not yield a return on their investment, added Moffat, who was not part of the survey.

Students typically spend four years earning a bachelor’s degree before embarking on a three-year program to graduate as a doctor of physical therapy.

"To become a licensed PT, you need to earn a doctorate degree," Taddonio emphasized.

"This can lead to a large amount of student debt, and when compared to other fields, the earning potential is not as great — especially with [high] burnout rates and the burden the job places on one’s body."

Meanwhile, she noted, nurses and physician assistants can graduate sooner with less debt and earn more pay.

The median annual wage of physical therapists ranges from $88,000 to $101,500, but this income only met or fell behind the inflation rate in most areas of the country between 2016 and 2021, according to the APTA’s most recent published data.

At least 80% of recent physical therapy graduates have an average debt of $142,000, per a 2020 report.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is planning an additional reduction in reimbursement that will affect physical therapists in 2024, which would bring the cuts to a total of 9% over four years, according to APTA.

(Medicare reimbursements are payments that Medicare sends to hospitals and physicians for medical services they provide.)

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"On Nov. 2, 2023, CMS issued a final rule that finalized policy changes for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues, effective on or after Jan. 1, 2024," a CMS spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

The policy changes "reflect a broader Biden-Harris administration-wide strategy to create a more equitable health care system that results in better access to care, quality, affordability and innovation," according to the CMS.

Although finalized payment amounts under the PFS will be reduced by 1.25% overall next year compared to the 2023 calendar year, CMS is finalizing increases in payments for many services, such as primary care visits and longitudinal care visits.

"Overall, the finalized [calendar year] 2024 PFS conversion factor is $32.74, a decrease of $1.15, or 3.4%, from [calendar year] 2023," the CMS spokesperson said.

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Medicare patients make up a large percentage of the people that physical therapists treat, which means new graduates are finding it increasingly challenging to establish small private practices that will be sustainable. 

"In the past, we could … actually establish a nice private practice and even have that grow into several practices," Moffat said.

"However, because the publicly held and private equity-backed major firms have and continue to buy up small practices where the bottom line is the major consideration, it is now extremely difficult — if not impossible — to think about being entrepreneurial and starting that small practice."

Several recent regulatory changes should give physical therapists and occupational therapists more flexibility in providing services to patients, the CMS spokesperson told Fox News Digital. 

Since 2005, CMS has required physical therapists in private practices to provide direct supervision of their therapy assistants.

"CMS is finalizing a regulatory change to allow for general supervision of therapy assistants by PTPPs (physical therapists in private practice) and OTPPs (occupational therapists in private practice) for remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) services," the CMS spokesperson said.

"Practically, this means that physical therapists and occupational therapists will not need to be physically present to supervise RTM services."

A particular population of patients is adversely affected by the shortage of physical therapists, Taddonio noted.

"We have seen children in the early intervention system waiting months to get a therapist," she said.

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Early intervention services help address the developmental needs of eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities up to 3 years old and their families, Taddonio said.

They are authorized by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

"The data from early intervention reported a 33% drop [in] children being identified and serviced each year since COVID in 2019," said Taddonio.

She has not seen pay increases for the preschool population in years — a trend she attributes largely to budget and Medicaid cuts.

"In the past 30 years that I’ve been practicing, early intervention has made two reductions in the pay rate," the physical therapist said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the American Physical Therapy Association for additional comment.

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Free COVID tests coming to US schools, says federal government: ‘Preventing the spread’

The federal government will distribute free COVID-19 tests to schools across the U.S., according to an announcement posted on the U.S. Department of Education (ED) website this week.

The ED has partnered with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), a division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to distribute both over-the-counter (OTC) and rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.

The federal agency also sent letters to local education agencies, urging school districts to order the tests for use by students, parents, faculty and school communities, the announcement stated.

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"We encourage school districts to make use of this free COVID-19 test offering, which schools may use, for example, to stock school nurses’ offices and main offices with tests; to send test kits home with students or parents; or to distribute by other means to put these valuable safeguards in the hands of students, parents, and staff who need them," the ED said in a statement on its website.

Each school will have a point of contact to determine how many tests are needed and distribute them as needed, the statement also indicated.

ED’s Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development Roberto Rodriguez said in the statement that "the Biden-Harris Administration remains a committed partner with schools in keeping our students and teachers safe and healthy."

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He went on, "These self-tests are easy to use and can play an important role in preventing the spread of COVID-19. We encourage schools to make use of these free resources to safeguard students, parents, and staff throughout the 2023-24 school year."

As the release stated, millions of tests will be sent out in the coming months.

HHS’s Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell said the availability of the free tests will enable students and staff to self-test throughout the winter months.

"The partnership … leverages ASPR’s ongoing test distribution programs to reach school communities through ED’s close relationship to school districts — helping keep communities healthy," she added in the announcement.

"Today’s announcement builds on previous Biden-Harris Administration efforts to increase COVID-19 testing in schools to keep students safe and schools open," stated the ED’s announcement.

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To date, the feds have distributed more than 1.6 billion COVID-19 tests to households, schools, long-term care facilities, community health centers and food banks.

Approximately four million tests are sent out each week.

The ASPR also announced that as of Nov. 20, households can order four free COVID tests through COVIDTests.gov.

The free COVID test program was originally launched in January 2022 but was suspended in September 2022 due to a lack of funding.

The program resumed in December 2022 with a surge of positive tests. Free tests were again available to order on Sept. 25 of this year.

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, said he is in support of "information gathering" in medicine, but that "the question is what do you do with the results when you have them."

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"COVID rapid tests are especially helpful when you are symptomatic," Siegel told Fox News Digital. "They are an important way to help distinguish COVID from RSV, which is currently surging, and influenza, which is starting to increase."

If students test positive for COVID, Siegel said they should stay home from school to decrease the risk of infecting others.

"It can also be used to test others who have come in close contact with an infected person, so the rapid test remains useful," he said.

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Home for the holidays? Here's how to avoid stress around family members, according to experts

Returning home for the holidays can sometimes be stressful.

For some people, being around family members that they only see once a year or with whom they don't have the strongest relationship can be anxiety-inducing.

How can home-goers ensure their holidays aren’t bogged down by family stress?

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Licensed medical family therapist Jeff Yoo at Moment of Clarity Mental Health Center in Orange County, California, shared advice in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"In my opinion, the holidays present a mixture of excitement and stress, where a little stress is natural," he said. "For some, the upcoming festivities bring back memories or reflections on past strained relationships."

"The distress of being expected to show up regardless of your feelings and in what may be a sense of duty or misplaced loyalty could be too much for some," Yoo also said.

The expert listed a variety of elements that can "compromise our feelings" when we meet up with family members. These elements can include childhood trauma, unresolved conflicts and hurtful discussions.

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Differences in people's financial ability to give or exchange gifts can also add strain, he said.

Regardless of the origin of the stress, Yoo shared five tips for reducing family-related anxiety around holiday time.

Planning ahead is "absolutely the key to making sure you create your own place at the table" for the holidays, Yoo said.

"If you are invited to more than one gathering, make it clear that you have another place to go and make each one short," he suggested. 

"If you are a non-drinker, declare a sober holiday or bring your own beverage."

The therapist advised individuals to change their mindset as they head into each event.

"Be on time and show up with a pleasant attitude," he said. "Do not preconceive how the day will go; change negative thinking to positive thinking."

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"Choose to not battle on this day and walk away from those who rattle you," Yoo added.

Mia Rosenberg, a psychotherapist and owner at Upsider Therapy in New York, told Fox News Digital that while avoiding hot-topic conversations may be difficult, it's important to set boundaries. 

"If and when hot topics come up, you can set a boundary by saying something like, ‘Let’s not get into XYZ, it can be controversial and we're all having a good time. Why don’t we talk about ABC instead?’"

To ensure a punctual arrival, Yoo said people should give themselves plenty of time to get ready, while factoring in gift wrapping, food preparations and travel time.

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In cases where there is known tension between family members, it may be wise to have a separate conversation ahead of your arrival, according to Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and author of "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," who is based in Marathon, Florida. 

"If there's a relative who often starts tiffs, it may be helpful to have a conversation with this person about your expectations," she told Fox News Digital. 

Even though finances can be a difficult topic of conversation, people should talk with loved ones about any financial struggles if there is stress about gift-giving, said Yoo. 

"Most people will be happier to spend time with you and yours than to receive gifts," he said.

One idea is to create handmade gifts that "come from the heart instead of the pocket."

It's vital to simplify expectations on spending, giving and even eating excessively during the holidays, said Yoo.

"In order to make the best of gatherings, you could try to simplify gift-giving by picking names — one person, one gift — to limit the cost," he said.

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"I love the concept of fewer gifts, with deeper thought and consideration for each gift presented, making them personalized."

This "also keeps the meaning of giving in the forefront," Yoo said.

Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist and executive performance coach with practices in Manhattan and Washington, D.C., also shared his advice with Fox News Digital, advising people not to "buy into the belief that you have a ‘perfect family’ or that the holiday will be perfect." 

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"By adjusting your expectations, you’ll be less likely to be disappointed and stressed should something not go according to plan — and you’ll also take the pressure off yourself," he said.

Incorporating fun and family-friendly activities into the holiday agenda could help people blow off some steam, said Yoo.

He suggested planning all-in family games like a scavenger hunt or table and card games.

"Set up teams like children vs. adults," he said. "Make the best of your time spent with others."

Remember the importance of spending time with family over giving gifts, said Yoo.

"Time is much more precious than anything else we could give to each other," he said.

Erica Lamberg contributed to this report.

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‘Zoom fatigue’ is common struggle for remote workers. Here’s how to handle it, according to experts

Attending meetings in pajama bottoms might seem like a job perk, but some remote workers have found that videoconferencing for work isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

In the years since the COVID pandemic triggered a spike in telecommuting, many have complained of so-called "Zoom fatigue."

Thought to be coined by Stanford University professor Jeremy Bailenson, the term refers to a level of exhaustion that comes with interacting with others on camera all throughout the day.

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Dr. Kyle Elliott, a tech career coach in San Francisco, defines Zoom fatigue as "incessant tiredness or lack of energy as a result of spending a large quantity of time on Zoom."

Additional symptoms can include physical tension (including headaches, eye strain and stiffness), moodiness, a sense of disengagement or difficulty concentrating, according to Dr. Julia Corcoran, a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified coach, who is currently serving as the director of clinical strategy and experience at Modern Health in San Francisco.

The challenge isn’t exclusive to Zoom; other videoconferencing platforms can have the same effect.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom and other videoconferencing platforms "exploded in popularity," said Dr. Carl Nassar, PhD, a professional counselor based in Denver, Colorado.

"We all found ourselves at home looking at the people we worked with, the people we went out for drinks with and the people in our extended family on a computer screen," he told Fox News Digital.

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"Our work went virtual, our social life went virtual, our doctors' appointments went virtual, and even our intimate relationships sometimes went virtual," he said. "And this meant a lot of time looking at each other on-screen instead of in person."

Long after the pandemic, many of these habits have persisted.

"This video-ing of each other, it turns out, is far more tiring to humans than actually being together," said Nassar. 

"One reason is that our brains are wired for actual in-person interactions, not wired for interactions on the screen."

While video calls can be convenient, Elliott warned that staring at a computer or phone screen for extended periods of time can result in negative mental health consequences.

"Zoom fatigue can aggravate stress, anxiety and burnout among workers," he told Fox News Digital.

"Some people share that spending so much time interacting on screens makes it difficult to interact in real life."

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Corcoran agreed, noting that many report feeling livelier, happier and more active during in-person meetings. 

"Because video platforms artificially limit our perspective, we miss the cues we’re used to from live, in-person interactions," she told Fox News Digital. 

"As social beings, we’re highly attuned to these cues, and it takes more work for us to look for and process them in the virtual environment, leading to the fatigue we experience."

Even beyond the workplace, Elliott noted that people are using video in more personal contexts than ever before, such as sharing reels on social media and calling loved ones on FaceTime.

"This can further exacerbate the problem if you're already spending a significant portion of your day on Zoom," he said. 

"All these video-based calls can quickly lead to video fatigue if you're not mindful and take care to protect your mental health and well-being."

Just because a meeting is scheduled on Zoom or a similar video conferencing platform doesn't mean you need to be on video for the call, Elliott pointed out. 

"When it makes sense, particularly if it's a large meeting where your input will be less frequent or nonexistent, you might opt to turn your video off from time to reduce Zoom fatigue," he advised.

The expert also recommended taking adequate breaks away from the computer, even if it's for just a few minutes, throughout the day. 

"It can be tempting, but try to avoid looking at another screen, such as your phone, during this break, since you want to avoid swapping one digital toxin for another," Elliott said.

For those leading a video meeting, Corcoran suggested starting with a quick off-camera stretch break or mindfulness exercise to increase attention and focus.

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"Whenever you’re able, suggest audio-only meetings that don’t require screens so people can do things they would naturally do in an in-person setting, like move around or look out a window," she advised.

"Walking away from our screens can reduce the urge to multitask, reduce eye fatigue and increase our capacity to move around."

Turning off the self-view option can also be helpful, Corcoran said — "it can be particularly distracting and draining because we’re not used to seeing our own images so much."

As the use of video platforms is still relatively new for many professionals, Corcoran noted that the long-term effects aren’t yet known. 

"That being said, we know that constant feelings of fatigue, exhaustion and physical strain or tension do correlate with negative mental health outcomes," she said.

"It’s important to take steps to reduce Zoom fatigue before it leads to things like chronic stress or burnout."

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Depression and anxiety rates higher among college students than their peers, new study suggests

College students may be at a greater risk of experiencing depression and anxiety compared to young people who are not in higher education, according to a new study published in The Lancet Public Health.

Researchers from University College London analyzed data from two studies.

The first study looked at 4,832 young people who were 18 and 19 years old between 2007 and 2009. 

The second analyzed 6,128 young people who were 18 and 19 years old between 2016 and 2018.

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Just over half of the participants were attending college.

Based on multiple surveys the young people completed about their mental health, there was a small, elevated risk for depression and anxiety among the students compared to the non-students. There was an approximate 6% difference in risk between the two groups.

By age 25, after the students had graduated, there was no longer a gap in depression rates, the study found.

"In recent years in the U.K., we have seen an increase in mental health problems among young people, so there has been an increased focus on how to support students," said lead author Dr. Gemma Lewis from UCL Psychiatry in a press release from the university. 

"The first couple of years of higher education are a crucial time for development," she added.

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"So if we could improve the mental health of young people during this time, it could have long-term benefits for their health and well-being, as well as for their educational achievement and longer-term success."

Dr. Tayla McCloud, the first author of the study from UCL Psychiatry, said the researchers can’t be certain why students might be more at risk of depression and anxiety than their peers, but suggested some theories.

"This increased risk among students has not been found in studies in the past, so if the association has only recently emerged, it may be related to increased financial pressures and worries about achieving high results in the wider economic and social context," she said in the release.

The findings were surprising, McCloud noted.

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"We would have expected higher education students to have better mental health than their non-student peers, as they tend to be from more privileged backgrounds on average, so these results are particularly concerning," she said.

"More research is needed to clarify the mental health risks facing students."

Ljubica Ciric, PsyD, vice president of child and family mental health at the Community Partners of South Florida, was not involved in the study but offered her input on the findings.

"During this particular age, friendships are of a high importance for most children," she told Fox News Digital.

"Being removed from major support systems — such as high school, the city you lived in and especially parents — increases feelings of loneliness and fear, which are directly correlated with symptoms of anxiety," Ciric went on. 

There is also the added academic and economic pressure, along with the uncertainty of finding a job once school is completed, she said.

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There is also a differentiation between diagnosis and symptoms of depression and anxiety, Ciric pointed out.

"This study assessed for only symptoms and a diagnosis was not present."

"Therefore, it could possibly be more appropriate to call these adjustment difficulties, similar to any other individual struggling emotionally with adjusting to new situations in their lives."

When assessing a young person’s mental health, Ciric advised being mindful of any extreme changes in behavior — "changes in sleep patterns, interest in food, social interests, and levels and frequency of crying or aggression."

Feelings of increased fear, thoughts that are persistent and create additional feelings of fear, and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness are also red flags.

Additional warning signs include difficulty completing tasks, trouble concentrating or remembering, lack of energy, increased irritability or feeling overwhelmed all the time, added Dr. Beth Oller, a Kansas-based psychologist who regularly helps patients identify and manage mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

Oller was also not involved in the study.

This study was in England, Oller pointed out — "so while some associations can be made, it isn’t exactly apples to apples."

She told Fox News Digital, "There are differences in the higher education systems country to country."

"The studies also began in 2004 and 2013, so there have been a lot of world events — COVID especially — that may change results, particularly baseline anxiety and depression that may be higher in students who have lived through a pandemic."

The study was also small, as were the differences between the two groups, Oller pointed out.

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"I am not sure that much can be drawn from the study aside from what I would counsel any of my patients: to monitor closely for any signs of depression or anxiety and talk to your family physician if you feel like it is a problem for you," she said.

"We also have to ask whether people who seek higher education are truly at a higher risk, or possibly just more likely to report or seek treatment as it may be more available."

Building resilience is important at this age, Ciric said.

Having a mentor on campus to help students feel safe and welcomed could help alleviate depressive symptoms, she advised.

Other ideas include preparing students emotionally — not just academically — for what to expect.

Increasing financial support and creating employment opportunities on campus can also help ease anxiety, Ciric suggested.

Students can also join available activities and groups to increase their connections and relationships with peers.

As Oller noted, most campuses have programs aimed at student wellness that can help.

"I would recommend that any students experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression not only reach out to their family physician, but also see what resources are available at their own college or university," she told Fox News Digital. 

"Encouraging discussion and continuing public health education regarding mental health, reducing stigma and normalizing treatment can all help remove barriers to people getting the help that they need."

Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for additional comment.

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