Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Justin Smith on 11/02/2011 21:30:03

Title: Why does an office environment make me tired?
Post by: Justin Smith on 11/02/2011 21:30:03
Justin Smith asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Chris,

Why is it, that at the office (which is air-conditioned, closed up and full of people) I get so tired I could just about die, every day is like this, but yet on the week-ends I don't suffer from this. I do my road bike training (100km's), I do MTB training (50km's) stuff around the house, no problem! Nobody else here suffers like me. Am I just bored at what I do, lack of oxygen, or what? Do these oxygen drops work that one takes with some water?

Regards,

Justin Smith

What do you think?
Title: Why does an office environment make me tired?
Post by: chris on 01/03/2011 18:20:44
Hi Justin

I think there will be a LOT of people who suffer the same experience!

Part of it might be the job you are trying to do. Many people find that unfulfilling or frustrating, repetitive work makes them feel tired in much the same way that we tend to nod off during a boring moving or lecture.

Maybe a change of job is needed?

Chris
Title: Why does an office environment make me tired?
Post by: RD on 01/03/2011 19:45:33
Allegedly there is a phenomenon called Sick Building Syndrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sick_building_syndrome).

Nobody else here suffers like me

If it was say carbon-monoxide (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_poisoning) or excess carbon-dioxide in the air, your neighbouring co-workers should also be affected.
Title: Why does an office environment make me tired?
Post by: techmind on 01/03/2011 20:08:11
Is your office room too warm? (I observe that my productivity falls and I feel sleepy when the temperature exceeds 23C. There's no need for it to be that warm, but there doesn't seem to be much control - and other people seem to like it sleepy)

Is there much daylight, or do you suffer from fluorescent lighting which is so drab?
Title: Why does an office environment make me tired?
Post by: graham.d on 02/03/2011 09:02:59
I find the continual background sound of aircon systems is both stress inducing and tiring. I notice it especially from the relief when the things get switched off at night.
Title: Why does an office environment make me tired?
Post by: lightarrow on 04/03/2011 12:01:35
Yes, it could be for a lot of different reasons, some of which could add together.