Designing Workspaces with Consideration to our Senses and their Effect on Stress

Levels of chronic stress in the United States related to work culture and working environments is a widely dealt with issue that is taking a toll on factors such as mental health and physical well being. High levels of stress can lead to issues such as headaches, high blood pressure, weight gain or damage to the immune system. Due to adults in the United States spending roughly eight hours a day, five days a week in their workspaces, it is relevant to investigate designing a space tailored to the way humans interpret their emotions and feelings about the surrounding environment: through the five senses - sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Findings suggest that there is potential to lower chronic stress levels by gaining a better understanding of the senses and how different stimuli affect the stress response and how those can be applied to the workspace.