We all deal with the occasional stress at work – it’s a normal part of the job. But, for many employees, stress has become a constant theme, leading to anxiety whenever they show up for work.
Most people dismiss their work anxiety as simply hating their jobs, and sure, there might be some truth to that. However, with so many workers feeling disengaged, you have to wonder: can this many people really have unfulfilling careers? In my opinion, it’s less about the actual job and much more about the work environment than one may expect.
In many modern workplaces, the office environment can often be a source of significant tension
and stress. With the constant hum of activities, tight deadlines, high expectations, and frequent
interruptions, it's easy for employees to feel overwhelmed by the high-pressure atmosphere.
Let’s think about the physical setup of offices for a minute; most of these spaces prioritize efficiency over comfort, harsh lighting, insufficient personal space, and a general absence of
calming elements. All these potentially contribute to a sense of unease and panic among workers.
Ultimately, office productivity is more of a mental problem than a physical one, and a real
solution lies in creating safe spaces that support multi-sensory well-being with more importance
on mind and emotional experiences.
Anxiety in itself can be detrimental to productivity and, in the context of a workplace, can jeopardize the careers of employees. Yet, despite its huge implications, it remains a prevalent issue.
Embracing the Senses
Our surroundings, be it at work, school, or home, have a significant impact on our ability to complete tasks, and this is largely due to sensory cues. Think of sensory cues as signals
received through the five senses that provide information to the brain about our present
environment. Such signals are bound to influence our perception, behavior, and decision-making within an environment.
That said, utilizing sensory cues can be a potent way to refresh the mind and body. If we’re
looking to design our interior office spaces to improve focus and increase productivity, a good blueprint will be to create spaces that engage all five senses as work-life changes to improve employee retention and performance. How, then, can we utilize specific sensory triggers to improve focus and productivity? Let’s explore them.
Tactile Cues
Tactile cues pertain to information received through the sense of touch, involving texture,
temperature, pressure, and pain. Naturally, we develop our sense of touch first, making it a
powerful way to interact with our surroundings. Tactile cues often define our perception of different environments and influence what actions we take within them.
In a work environment, incorporating both hard and soft “touch points” can help convey
important information; however, tactile messages should always align with the type of work
being done. For instance, if you run a brand design firm, you can opt for soft furniture and
materials to create a cozy vibe. On the other hand, more formal establishments like an attorney’s office might benefit from a blend of hard and soft surfaces to balance professionalism and comfort.
Always consider texture when integrating tactile cues into any office design. Different surfaces
provide feedback that helps us identify different scenarios, and introducing a variety of textures
can make spaces more inviting and comfortable. Furthermore, harnessing the power of hands-on learning tools like typewriters and stylus pens can trigger parts of the brain that boost creativity.
Visual Cues
Visual cues pertain to our sight and refer to the information received through the eyes, from
colors to visible light, shape, and movement, among others. Sight is our most dominant sense,
so much so that the brain prioritizes what we see even when it receives multiple messages from
other senses.
As humans, we consume light as a form of energy through our skins, but since we can only see
color, we tend to recognize only visible light (light within a spectrum). Typically, the human eye
can detect wavelengths from 380 to 700 nanometers; however, some people might need more
of a certain color, like red, to balance their visual spectrum.
The influence of color on mood and behavior is crucial to interior design, and since visible light
takes on different colors, light is also a key part of the visual experience too. As such, a work
environment should strike a balance between dim and natural lighting. Keeping spaces decluttered can also stimulate more imaginative thinking by controlling stimuli.
An office space should always prioritize the quantity and quality of objects present. Imagine
looking at a logo from a brand you find creative; this can help boost your creativity. When it
comes to creating “YOU-unique” experiences with visual cues, aim to personalize rather than
prescribe.
Using metaphoric light and exposing yourself to natural sunlight can help regulate your circadian
rhythms, promoting better sleep, energy, productivity, and decision-making. Finally, always look
to incorporate intentional pieces of art throughout your space for a brain boost.
Gustatory Cues
Now let’s talk about taste; those flavors we all know, like sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. You might
be wondering how taste relates to improving office productivity. Well, taste and productivity are
more connected than you might think.
What we taste has a direct link to our emotions through something called neural circuits, which
can influence how our bodies respond physically. Essentially, this means taste can be a
powerful tool for boosting productivity and enhancing creative thinking.
For this process, prioritize fruits and veggies – they’re key to boosting creativity and productivity. You can also try mindful mycelium (mushroom coffee) to manage stress and sharpen your mind. Whichever you choose, our basic taste receptors can effectively improve our minds and emotional experiences in the office. For instance, sour foods, like a glass of lemon water, can spark innovative thinking - bright citruses give high energy - while complex flavors support more
inspiration. Hard to believe, but it does work really well.
It’s best to stick to familiar tastes, which are often more comforting than new ones. As an office owner, you can offer taste as part of the breakroom experience, special appreciation breakfast/lunch, or art, whichever works best.
Auditory Cues How Can Interior Design Increase Office Productivity?
We receive these signals through the ears, including sounds and their properties like pitch,
volume, and directions. That said, sound doesn’t always involve your ears. At times, the skin
needs to feel puffs of air to understand what someone is saying, so it can be a little tricky
incorporating auditory cues into an office space.
Acoustical control in office spaces is essential not only for reducing distractions but also for fostering an environment conducive to productivity and wellness. By addressing sound levels and ensuring proper acoustics, employees can enjoy improved focus and a greater sense of calm. Using soundproofing elements can optimize the workspace for both collaboration and solitude. Incorporating effective acoustic treatments—such as sound-absorbing panels, soft furnishings and strategic layout planning—can greatly reduce ambient noise and distractions. This helps prevent noise pollution from becoming a detractor of creativity and overall well-being.
One common practice is listening to music while at work. Just a mere 30-minute music
session can significantly decrease stress levels and emotional burnout among employees. The type of music matters, too; ambient music can increase idea generation, while generative sounds without lyrics help create an environment for creative thinking.
There’s so much to consider when trying to translate auditory cues into office spaces. First, music is for the soul, so if you run an office space, dedicate time for team members to share their favorite albums. Take sound queues from relaxed places like coffee shops, spas, and hotels. Aim for mid level volume – typically, 70 db is best for increased creativity, which is equivalent to busy coffee shops.
Olfactory Cues
Finally, olfactory cues refer to signals received through the sense of smell. I like to think of smell
as the scrapbook of our brains – it’s the quickest gateway to trigger memories and access our
past experiences. Just as pleasant scents boost sales in retail environments, they can also
enhance work performance in the office. The key is to stick with simple scents, as complex
fragrances can be hard to process.
When translating smell into your office space, choose scents that remind you of specific places
or moments. Use different scents to distinguish between different projects, which can be
especially useful in a hybrid work model. Allow scents to reorient you and jog your memory of
what you were working on the prior day.
Refine Your Workspace Environment with PWID Interior Design
Ultimately, the original multi-sensory experience is nature. Natural environments provide a rich
and diverse sensory experience that engages multiple senses simultaneously. They offer a
holistic sensory experience that nourishes the mind and body. While artificial environments can’t
measure up to nature, we can try as much as possible to replicate these sensory experiences in
office spaces.
For so long, we’ve allowed sight and sound to dominate in interior design. Let’s create a more
multi-sensory workplace ecosystem to support the future of office spaces.
Bình luận