Tuning Design to Be "Just Right"

"It turns out that there is a sort of inverse relationship between the mental energy we need to do whatever we're up to and how energizing the world around us should be-when more brain energy is needed, the space we're in serves us best when it is a less invigorating place to be. And the reverse is also true: When less mental energy is required, the place around us should be more exciting."

"Intense sensory experiences make us feel more energized. Whether those experiences are saturated colors; louder, faster music; or more intense but pleasant smells, information flowing into our brains through any sensory channel can get our adrenaline going. One of the aspects of our environment that doesn't get a lot of attention when we're thinking about our internal energy level is whether we can see or hear other people."

Different tasks require different levels of external stimulation: demanding cognitive tasks benefit from calmer, less stimulating spaces while routine mental work or physical tasks benefit from more energizing environments. Sensory input such as saturated colors, louder or faster music, and strong pleasant smells increases arousal and perceived energy. Human presence and the ability to see or hear others also raise internal energy because humans are socially driven and respond physiologically to nearby people. A mismatch between environmental stimulation and task demands produces stress, degrades cognitive performance, impairs social interactions, and negatively affects health.

Read at Psychology Today