Spending many hours in indoor projects can influence concentration, mood, and sleep quality, affecting the brain's functioning in day-to-day life
Submitted at Mar 16, 2026, 4:00 PM
(Freepik/CASACOR)
The indoor projects are part of contemporary routine. Homes, offices, means of transport, and commercial spaces concentrate a large share of everyday activities, especially in big cities. This way of life, marked by prolonged stays indoors, has profoundly transformed how the body and mind interact with the surrounding space.
Over the past years, research in fields such as neuroscience, environmental psychology and architecture has begun to investigate how continuous exposure to indoor projects can affect brain function. Factors such as predominant artificial lighting, limited ventilation, and less contact with natural elements directly interfere with sensory perception, mood and the regulation of fundamental biological processes.
The human brain evolved in constant interaction with natural stimuli — variations in light, weather changes, outdoor sounds, and moving landscapes. When we spend many hours in indoor projects, this sensory diversity tends to decrease, which can reduce the level of stimulation needed to keep attention active for long periods.
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Moreover, air quality also exerts an important influence on cognitive performance. In indoor projects with insufficient ventilation, carbon dioxide concentration can increase throughout the day, which is associated with declines in performance on tasks that require reasoning, memory and decision-making. This combination of limited stimuli and reduced air circulation contributes to a sense of mental fatigue.
Prolonged time in indoor projects can also affect emotional balance. Reduced exposure to natural light interferes with the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter related to a sense of well-being and mood stability. When this light stimulus is limited, the body may show signs of low spirits, irritability or decreased energy.
Another relevant factor is the absence of a visual connection with the outside. Projects that do not offer views of open areas, greenery, or urban landscapes can intensify the feeling of confinement. On the other hand, large windows, natural lighting, and the presence of plants help reduce the psychological impact of spending time in indoor projects, making spaces more pleasant and stimulating.
The brain regulates sleep through the so-called circadian rhythm, a biological cycle guided mainly by the alternation between light and darkness throughout the day. When the routine occurs mostly in indoor projects, this system can become less efficient, since the body receives fewer clear signals about the passage of time.
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Prolonged exposure to artificial lighting — especially at night — also interferes with the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for preparing the body for rest. In people who spend many hours in indoor projects, this imbalance can result in difficulty falling asleep, irregular sleep or a constant feeling of fatigue throughout the day.
Even when the routine requires many hours in indoor projects, some adjustments help make these spaces healthier for the brain. Small changes in the way you use and organize the project help reduce the feeling of confinement and improve well-being throughout the day.
Keeping windows unobstructed and positioning work areas near daylight helps the body better regulate the biological rhythm. In indoor projects, natural light contributes to greater attention, energy and mood balance.
Beatriz Quinelato Arquitetura - Sopro. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2025. (Denilson Machado/CASACOR)
Opening windows or encouraging natural ventilation reduces the buildup of stale air typical of indoor projects. Air renewal improves comfort and helps the brain maintain more stable levels of concentration.
Armentano Arquitetura - Entre Copas Deca. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2025. (Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)
Short breaks away from indoor projects, such as walking for a few minutes or spending time on balconies and in outdoor areas, work as a mental break. This contact with the outside helps restore attention and reduce stress.
Catê Poli e João Jadão - Mirante Paulista. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2023. (Evelyn Muller/CASACOR)
In addition to seeking greater contact with the outside throughout the day, another important strategy is to reduce excessive digital stimuli, especially after long periods in indoor projects.
The practice known as digital detox, which consists of reducing the time of exposure to screens, notifications, and social networks, helps the brain slow down and regain attentional capacity. Short intervals without a cell phone or computer already help reduce cognitive overload and improve the quality of rest.
When possible, it is also worth creating a small space dedicated to breaks at home. If there is a balcony or outdoor area, setting up a little rest nook there, with a comfortable armchair, plants, or natural lighting, can work as a refuge for moments of relaxation throughout the day. This type of project favors mental disconnection and reinforces the sense of contact with the outside, helping to balance the effects of a routine in indoor projects.
CASACOR Publisher is an exclusive content-creating agent, developed by the CASACOR Technology team from the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.
