Someone told me last week that the environment in which you work in has a large effect on your overall well-being and productivity. While that makes sense, it didn't really hit me until today that my lab has a lot of things that negatively affect my daily work. You see, my lab is an old gym in the stadium that was converted into lab space many years ago. Basically, everything remains the same, that dim gym lighting, the cinderblock walls, and the rubbery floor for playing dodgeball:) I didn't think that it affected me, but today I realized that I usually get these headaches in the afternoon, especially if I've been in the lab for a really long time. I attribute that to two things especially, the lighting and the ventilation here. Like I said before, the lighting is from those dim halogen bulbs used in gyms. Ours are not pure white, but have dimmed over the years, and now give off a greenish glow. I brought a giant desk lamp years ago to help, and it has helped, but only when I sit at my desk. The A/C in here works well, but only has two settings: off and Arctic chill. I don't mind the cold, but most of my lab-mates are deathly afraid of the cold.

Anyways, today I opened one of the small windows in the afternoon letting in fresh air, and bright sunshine (today was beautiful, by the way), and I found that my headache went away! Not only have I felt good working, but I think I've even been a little more productive. Maybe I'll get one of those sunlight lamps for my desk.

I'm here for another hour or so, and then "The Office". I always look forward to Thursday nights:)