When you think about mental health at work, what comes to mind? Probably things like stress, deadlines, or trying to keep up with your never-ending to-do list, right? But here’s the thing: your physical workspace plays a much bigger role than you might realize. The light, color, sound, and even layout of your workspace can all influence how you feel and how you perform. A cluttered desk, harsh lighting, or constant background noise can drain your energy fast (and make it harder to focus). On the flip side, a calm, organized, and well-designed space can help you feel grounded, creative, and actually enjoy being productive.
Think of it this way: your workspace sets the tone for your day before you even start working. If it’s chaotic, you’ll feel that chaos. If it’s calm and intentional, your mind will match that energy. So if you’ve been feeling distracted or mentally drained, it might not just be your workload—it could be your workspace. Here are some tips to bring some more spark to your surroundings, to better optimize your productivity.
Light, Mood, And Energy
Light is one of those things that seems small but makes a huge difference in how we feel and perform. Bright, natural light boosts serotonin (aka your “feel-good” hormone), which helps lift your mood and energy levels. On the other hand, dim or artificial lighting can leave you feeling sluggish and unmotivated. It’s one of the reasons why so many people feel more upbeat in the summer and a little more drained in the winter.
If your home office or workspace feels dull, start by letting in as much natural light as you can—pull the curtains all the way open, use mirrors to reflect sunlight, and make sure no furniture is blocking the windows. If natural light just isn’t an option, invest in a few daylight lamps that mimic real sunlight. You’ll be surprised how much more alert and focused you feel.
If you’re in a shared space like a school, workplace, or conference room, for example, professional design can make a big difference too – that’s why so many organizations now work with professional audio video experts to make the spaces look better but also feel better. After all, the right lighting, sound, and presentation setup can turn a stressful, overstimulating room into a calm, focused place where people can actually think.
Sound And Stress
Moving on from that idea, something else that can really make a difference – good or bad – is noise, and it’s actually one of the biggest environmental stressors we can face. The truth is that constant background noise like traffic, machinery, chatter, and even humming electronics, can make us feel bad, and actually trigger low-level anxiety and fatigue. So if you’re not feeling quite right but don’t know why, it might be the sounds around you.
That’s why creating a quieter (and therefore calmer) environment is a good idea, and it starts with being aware of what’s making noise. If you can identify the noises that irritate you most, then you can work out how to reduce them if you can – you could use soft furnishings like rugs and curtains to absorb sound, for example, or you could add plants, which have a natural way of reducing echoes. And for offices and shared workspaces, sound design is definitely part of overall wellbeing, plus you’ll want to make sure communication stays nice and clear.
Clutter, Space, And Clarity
I find that physical clutter has a way of turning into mental clutter, and studies show that messy environments increase stress hormones and make it harder to focus. That’s why I sometimes find myself tidying up before I actually sit down to get work done. If you can create a space that feels manageable and calm, you’ll instantly feel so much better.
Feel free to start small, though, so you don’t get overwhelmed. Just clear one surface, organize one drawer, or clear out one wardrobe, and you’ll feel the progress right away – you might even want to keep going because you feel motivated.
And remember, minimal doesn’t mean empty. You don’t need to strip your space of personality or comfort. The goal is balance – a workspace that feels functional and inspiring, not chaotic. You want enough around you to feel at home, but not so much that it distracts or drains you.
Colour And Comfort
Colour is another thing that influences emotion, and it happens all the time, even if you don’t notice it’s happening. For example, soft blues and greens make people feel calmer, and warmer tones like yellow or orange are all about energy and warmth. So if your environment feels flat or uninspiring, changing the colour can make a real difference to your mood. Even little things like a piece of art or a new throw or perhaps some houseplants can make a difference and improve your space.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your workspace isn’t just where you get things done—it’s a place that directly affects how you feel, think, and show up every day. Light, sound, and clutter might seem like small details, but together, they can completely shift your energy, focus, and even your mood.
The good news? You don’t have to do a complete overhaul to make a difference. Small, intentional changes—like letting in more natural light, softening noise, or keeping your space organized—can have a huge impact over time.
Think of your workspace as an extension of your mind. When it feels calm, balanced, and supportive, you’ll find it’s so much easier to feel that way too. So take a few minutes to look around your space and ask yourself: does this environment help me feel focused, calm, and inspired? If not, start with one small change today—you might be surprised at how quickly you feel the difference.