Whether you're talking on the phone, tuning into a video call, or texting, give yourself a time limit, said Dr. Ho. "When time is up, excuse yourself politely, and remember you do not have to over explain why you have to go. Just let the person know you can't talk anymore but it was lovely to connect, and get off the line."
If you're calling into work conferences, she also suggested ditching the convention of a one-hour meeting. "I schedule meeting times based on how much time I think is needed to get through the agenda. I regularly have 10-minute, 25-minute, and 35-minute long meetings," Dr. Ho explained. They might be odd numbers, but the shorter meetings are more efficient and help to free up your time and mental energy.