Some days the words come easily, and other days the mind seems stuck in mud. Much more often than we realize, we are subject to the whim of those around us. Colors on the walls, carpet underfoot, even light effects on the room itself, each lifts us up or secretly crushes us.
Table of Contents
The Table And The Details
A messy desk is like an anchor that pulls your brain underwater. Clear clutter out of the way, however, and the environment feels lighter, giving ideas a foothold more easily. Some people love having artwork, reminders and bits of life tacked everywhere, while others need an empty slate in front of them before they can concentrate. It’s not about having one true answer; it’s about deciding what kind of environment your brain space needs in order to breathe.
Light As A Creative Partner
Light does matter. Harsh ceiling lights will tend to drain you before you’ve opened your eyes, but natural light does seem able to lift energy and focus. You won’t always be able to set up a store next to a large window, but swapping warmer lights or milder lamps will transform the whole feel of a room. Those small details do make the mind feel alert and experimental.
The Power Of Sound
Instinctively, sound creates focus in an unconscious manner. Some like to work completely silently, while others become oddly comfortable with background noise. Play around with music, calming soundscapes, or a never-ending coffee shop tune online and observe what does the trick. Sound creates ambience just like vision does, and a consistent beat will persuade the mind to calm down. Be mindful of what you are easily distracted by and what you concentrate best on, then organize your environment around that.
Even The Floor Has A Say
Even the floor you stand on makes a difference. Consider a studio that has thought of everything down to the floor. A floor will feel solid and grounded, or invigorating, depending on the material. Some offices have industrial concrete flooring that creates an image of toughness and strength. Other spaces have a wood floor that feels warmer and friendlier. Either way, it sends signals your brain perceives silently.
The Living Element
Plants warrant a separate round of applause because they bring real life to a room. A pop of greenery dulls the sharp edges of desks and screens, and studies continue to prove that stress is mitigated by plants. You don’t need to create a forest from your workspace, but a tiny plant on the side provides a constant reminder to stop, stretch, and breathe, giving your mind a bit of extra room to breathe.
Shifting Environments To Re-set The Brain
When you feel like your head is jammed, the best thing you can do immediately is often just getting yourself out of your current location. Take a few minutes outside, re-arrange your furniture, or even switch chairs. It feels ridiculous, but those small moves often loosen your mind up and unstuck your thoughts again. Getting yourself out of your scene lets your brain know you do not have to be in one location.
Creating Conditions For Flow
We may never get a say on the big things like office setup or building design, but such details are usually solely our prerogative to tweak. Room lighting, things we have around us, sounds we hear, textures we are around, they all add up towards the focused/imaginative state we are in.
