Ventilating a Space!

You may or may not have much control over the ventilation where you live or work, you may be able to open or close a window or be able to change the flow rate of the air via the HVAC system, however.

Making sure that the air where you are is clean and fresh is worth the effort.  Study after study shows, not surprisingly, that when we’re breathing “better” air we’re not only healthier but our mental performance and wellbeing are improved along with our physical health.

 Being in a space that’s naturally ventilated, that’s connected to the outside world via an open window, is an important principle of biophilic design, which is discussed in detail in this article. 

Even if you can’t open a window (but also if you can), there are useful things to know about ventilating an area besides how important it is to switch out new air filters for old ones as needed.  If you have an “HVAC person” you can share with them that research indicates that airflow rates of 30 cfm/person can work well for the humans in spaces such as offices.

And just getting the air in a space moving (with a fan or whatever you can muster) can be a very good thing.  We think air is a more pleasant temperature and fresher when it is moving than when it’s not. And face into that fan:  when a fan is blowing onto our face instead of the back of our head we’re apt to be more creative and to feel more energetic.