One Take #3 - Beyond the Comfy Chair: Home indoor air quality and cognitive function over one

Air Quality Matters

Send us a text

Ever wondered why you sometimes struggle to focus when working from home? We dive into fascinating new research that connects the invisible elements of our home environments to how well our brains function during remote work.
This episode explores groundbreaking 2024 research fromAnna s. Young and colleagues who monitored over 200 remote workers for an entire year, tracking how their home's air quality and temperature affected their thinking abilities. The findings reveal a surprising "Goldilocks zone" for optimal brain performance – with temperatures around 23°C (73°F) proving ideal for creative thinking and cognitive speed. Too warm or too cold, and our mental performance measurably declines. We also examine how carbon dioxide levels, even when relatively low compared to crowded offices, might still subtly impact our ability to think clearly and solve problems.
The implications extend far beyond personal comfort. As remote work becomes a permanent fixture in our professional landscape, these findings challenge us to reconsider what makes a truly productive home office environment. It's not just about ergonomic furniture and fast internet – the quality of air you breathe and the temperature you sit in could be making or breaking your workday. Could simple adjustments like opening a window or tweaking your thermostat give you a cognitive edge? Listen to discover practical insights for optimizing your home workspace for better thinking, focus, and creativity. Your brain (and your productivity) will thank you!

Home indoor air quality and cognitive function over one year for people
working remotely during COVID-19

Support the show

Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more. And the YouTube Channel
The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

Eurovent Farmwood 21 Degrees Aereco Aico Ultra Protect InBiot

The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.

SafeTraces

All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.

Chapters

1. Introduction to the Research Study (00:00:00)

2. Study Methods and Participant Monitoring (00:02:04)

3. Findings: Thermal Conditions and Cognition (00:04:01)

4. CO2 Levels and Cognitive Performance (00:06:25)

5. Key Takeaways and Study Limitations (00:09:22)

6. Implications for Remote Workers (00:12:26)