Part 7/11:
Contrary to popular belief, colder rooms do not necessarily boost productivity. The episode demonstrates that in warmer conditions, participants performed cognitive tasks faster, with reaction times 10% quicker at 25°C than at 21°C. This suggests that moderate warmth can be more conducive to mental efficiency, challenging traditional notions that colder is always better for concentration.
Interestingly, physiological measurements found that skin temperature was slightly lower in the warmer condition, hinting at complex thermoregulatory responses. The key takeaway: a room temperature around 25°C can optimize both comfort and productivity, while drastically lower temperatures may cost more in energy and mental efficiency.