Our bodies are always being impacted by what are called comfort factors. These might include things like the ergonomic qualities of our seating, the functionality of our furniture and accessories, the amount of natural and artificial light we experience each day, the degree of acoustic comfort we get from sound insulation, the air and room temperatures we experience, and so on.

When these sorts of factors aren’t meeting our individual needs, or are not providing a proper level of ergonomic support, they can become a distraction, hindering concentration and focus. In this scenario, they can also result in a deterioration of overall physical well-being, increasing tiredness and fatigue, reducing energy and productivity, and ultimately leading to pain and illness.

The impact of emotional comfort factors can be no less significant than the physical. Such emotional factors might include the way we respond to colours, textures and forms, or the degree to which ambience and appealing design can affect our workflow. Likewise, the desire for protection, and a need to feel safe and secure can impact mental well-being, as can the ways in which we communicate and share information, or protect our privacy.

Emotional comfort factors can impact us on a more subconscious level than the physical. The effect can either be negative and exhausting, or positive and invigorating and with the capacity to restore mental energy.

Our brain and cognitive performance are being impacted by both physical and emotional comfort factors simultaneously.

We are naturally prone to distractions when working, and when they occur it can take considerable time to get back into the flow. It is generally the case that routine work involving more mechanical tasks will be less affected by external hindrances. Work performed using more complicated processes, such as creative tasks or strategic thinking, will usually require more focus and concentration, as well as a state of emotional comfort.

Functional, well-organised and aesthetically pleasing workspaces help to create a comfortable ambience which facilitates cognitive processes, concentration and productivity.