Parwy's Blog: Optimizing Workspace for Productivity, Focus & Creativity

To maximize focus and productivity, one should tailor lighting to the brain's changing neurochemical states throughout the day.

Phase 1 (0 to 8–9 hours after waking): Flood the workspace with bright light, including overhead and desk lights, to stimulate alertness through dopamine and epinephrine release.
During this early phase, facing a window or using bright LED pads helps wake up the brain's alertness systems.
Phase 2 (9 to 16 hours after waking): Dim the environment and switch to warmer yellow or red hues to support serotonin production, which favours creative and abstract thinking.
Eliminating overhead lighting in the afternoon helps transition the brain from analytic focus to a more relaxed, creative state.
Phase 3 (17 to 24 hours after waking): Keep lighting very dim to preserve melatonin levels and circadian rhythm, unless one deliberately intends to stay awake for a deadline.

The positioning of the eyes and the specific type of visual focus engaged significantly impact mental alertness and fatigue.

Screen Positioning: Place monitors or reading materials at or slightly above eye level, as looking upward triggers brain circuits associated with alertness, whereas looking down promotes sleepiness.
The 45/5 Rule: For every 45 minutes of detailed, focused work (parvocellular vision), engage in 5 minutes of panoramic, long-distance vision (magnocellular vision) to relax the eyes.
During these visual breaks, it is critical to look at a horizon or distance and avoid looking at a phone, as the phone screen requires focused convergence that prevents the eyes from resting.

The physical volume of the workspace, specifically ceiling height, influences the type of cognition the brain prefers.

High Ceilings: Environments with high ceilings or open skies promote abstract reasoning, creativity, and brainstorming.
Low Ceilings: Lower ceilings encourage detailed, analytic, and concrete work.
To simulate a low-ceiling environment for analytic work, one can wear a brimmed hat or a hoodie to restrict the upper visual field.

While some noise can increase autonomic arousal, specific auditory tools are better suited for optimizing brain function than random noise.

Avoid Continuous Noise: Loud, incessant environmental noises like HVAC systems can significantly increase mental fatigue and lower cognitive performance.
Binaural Beats: Listening to 40 Hertz binaural beats can increase focus, memory, and reaction times by modulating striatal dopamine.
It is recommended to use binaural beats for about 30 minutes prior to work or during specific work bouts, rather than continuously, to maintain their potency.
While white, pink, or brown noise is popular, extended exposure (over an hour) may cause unnecessary stress to the auditory system.

Physical habits within the workspace also play a vital role in sustaining productivity and health.

Sit-Stand Protocol: Alternating between sitting and standing is superior to doing either exclusively; aiming to stand for half the workday can improve cognitive conditioning and reduce pain.
Deflecting Interruptions: To minimize time lost to interruptions, position the desk so it does not face the door and avoid orienting the body fully toward someone entering the room.