Many people don’t think about temperature and lighting when they think about what affects their productivity levels, but both can have a considerable impact.
Consider what it’s like to sit down in an environment where the temperature is too hot or too cold, and the lighting is too intense or too dull. It’s not comfortable, is it? And when you’re not comfortable, focussing on anything much can be difficult.
These are just some of the ways that productivity levels can be negated;
Temperature and Productivity
If you had to choose between a cold and warm working environment, which would you go with? If your answer is “cold”, you might be hindering your productivity levels.
While cold environments can seem far more pleasant and even comfortable to many people, and may seem the obvious choice with offices everywhere running air conditioning constantly throughout the workday, your body requires more energy expenditure to keep warm in such environments. This can take away from the energy you can use for work. Without this energy, it can be harder to concentrate and be inspired enough to work to your full potential.
When it comes to warm—but not hot, which can be as draining as the cold—working environments, this isn’t a problem. In fact, it has been proven that physical and psychological warmth are often connected in the brain, meaning that being in a warm environment can increase productivity, job satisfaction, and even happiness levels.
Lighting and Productivity
When it comes to lighting, there is artificial lighting and natural lighting. Typically, offices have more artificial than natural lighting or a combination of both. But have you ever wondered what is best for productivity levels?
Light and circadian rhythms are linked. Circadian rhythms are the biological processes that function as an internal clock for sleep, alertness, and relaxation, as impacted by cortisol production.
Natural lighting is the far better option for productivity, simply because it can stabilise your body’s cortisol levels and keep them in balance. This means that natural lighting can improve your overall health and well-being, such as mood, energy levels, alertness, and levels of productivity.
Poor or artificial lighting in a workplace doesn’t have these benefits and can lead to more stress and less energy and focus. The result of this is feeling sleepier by the evening than would be the case with natural lighting.
Of course, working in natural lighting may not be an option all the time. When this is the case, it’s a good idea to spend time outside in the mornings and during breaks. You can also change the setup of your workspace to include more natural light.
For your office setup, you may wish to maximise the natural light that filters in through windows and pair this with artificial lighting. Choose large windows and glass furniture like the Lincoln desk to open up your space and let light spread further.
Contemporary modular shelving options like the Yet bookshelf add subtle lighting to complement the natural light entering your space, while also providing storage.
The addition of desk or floor lamps can ensure that anywhere natural light can’t access can still be well-lit. The Kelvin desk lamp and the Articulo floor lamp are flexible and adjustable, so they can be angled to light up dark spaces while also adding a modern look to your office.
Be creative and brighten up your space with light and beautiful furnishings and decor.
Conclusion
Knowing what the ideal temperature and lighting is for you to stay focused, and making sure your workspace fits those needs, can ensure that your future work or study sessions will be more productive than any before.