The Cathedral Effect: Why Changing Your Workspace Enhances Creativity
Feeling low, stressed, and overwhelmed is something we all experience, especially when working from home. As much as we love the freedom and flexibility, staying in the same space day after day can lead to burnout. It's crucial to change your work location to refresh your mind and boost your creativity and productivity. This brings us to an intriguing concept called "The Cathedral Effect."
What is the Cathedral Effect?
The Cathedral Effect is not a religious experience but rather the awe-inspiring feeling we get in grand, majestic spaces like cathedrals or concert halls. This sensation of being dwarfed by the scale and beauty of our surroundings can be incredibly uplifting and inspiring.
But how does this relate to our workspaces? The Cathedral Effect demonstrates how our physical environment impacts our mood, energy, and creativity. When we're in a new, unfamiliar space, our brains become more alert, taking in all the details and nuances. This heightened engagement can lead to increased curiosity and excitement, which is invaluable when generating new ideas or solving complex problems.
In contrast, working in the same space every day can make our brains tune out our surroundings, leading to boredom and stagnation. It's like listening to the same song on repeat—it eventually loses its charm and becomes background noise.
Why Changing Your Workspace Matters
If you're a professional working from home or someone whose role requires creativity and problem-solving, breaking out of your usual routine and exploring new environments can stimulate your brain and boost your productivity. Here are three examples of how switching up your workspace can benefit you:
The Coffee Shop Effect
Coffee shops are magical places where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee blends with the sounds of clattering dishes and distant chatter. This lively atmosphere can be invigorating for our brains. Studies show that working in a coffee shop can enhance creativity and productivity. While there are some downsides, like the temptation to people-watch or indulge in pastries, the overall benefits often outweigh the drawbacks, especially when you need a change of scenery.
The Nature Effect
Nature has a unique way of refreshing our minds. If you're fortunate enough to live near a park, beach, or other natural settings, take advantage of it! Research indicates that being in nature reduces stress, improves mood, and boosts creativity. Working outside can be incredibly rejuvenating for our brains. Despite the logistical challenges, such as finding a comfortable spot, dealing with bugs, or lacking Wi-Fi, the transformative experience is well worth it.
The Library Effect
Libraries offer a quiet, distraction-free environment perfect for times when you need to focus and get work done. The serene atmosphere can help you stay on task and complete your projects more efficiently. While there’s a risk of getting lost in a book or dozing off, the library remains a great option for deep, uninterrupted work sessions.
Embrace New Environments for Better Productivity
When working from home, it's easy to fall into a rut and lose the passion for what you do. By taking the time to explore new environments, you can reignite that spark and bring a fresh perspective to your work. Whether it's a coffee shop, a park, or a library, changing your surroundings can work wonders for your brain.
So, go forth, explore, and let the Cathedral Effect inspire your creativity and productivity! Embrace the freedom to move and discover the perfect balance between work and well-being.
Sources & Additional Reading:
Mehta, Ravi, R. (Juliet) Zhu, and Amar Cheema. "Is Noise Always Bad? Exploring the Effects of Ambient Noise on Creative Cognition." Journal of Consumer Research, vol. 39, no. 4, 2012, pp. 784-799.
Nielsen, Emily G. "The Coffee Shop Effect: Investigating the Relationship between Ambient Noise and Cognitive Flexibility." 2015. Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository, The University of Western Ontario.
Stenfors, C. U. D., et al. (2019). Positive Effects of Nature on Cognitive Performance Across Multiple Experiments: Test Order but Not Affect Modulates the Cognitive Effects. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 1413.
Stevenson, Mark P., et al. "Cognitive Restoration in Children Following Exposure to Nature: Evidence from the Attention Network Task and Mobile Eye Tracking." Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 9, 2019, article 42.
Beaman, C. P. (2005). Auditory distraction from low-intensity noise: a review of the consequences for learning and workplace environments. Applied Cognitive Psychology