Just a few words before we break into the actual discussion: I have this habit where, as soon as I get to my office cabin, I have to set the lighting, but this is not some workplace OCD thing. I have realized over the years that the type of lighting I prefer is often a reflection of my state of mind. I find bright overhead lighting bearable only when I am not anxious. On very hot summery days, soft lighting makes me feel less sweaty, helping me relax. There are days when I just want to bury myself in some hidden corner of the world, and that is when I don't want the overhead lighting too bright. On the contrary, when I am dressed up well, I don't mind the spotlight! This got me thinking - lighting is an inherent part of how we set up our workday, how we prepare ourselves for the day to follow, and it should be discussed. I started my AI research and found that there are actual studies done on this subject. Bosses who associate dim lighting in the cabin as a means to hide something extravagantly notorious are perhaps mistaken. Your choice of overhead lighting could be both physiological and psychological, either of the two, or a blend of both. Read ahead as we dwell further into this subject. Overhead lighting shapes both the ambiance and functionality of a workspace. Yet when it’s poorly designed or uncontrolled, it becomes one of the leading causes of eye strain, fatigue, and declining productivity. In a world where knowledge workers spend hours in front of screens, understanding how to manage lighting—especially when fixtures aren’t within your control—is more than an aesthetic concern. It’s a matter of health and efficiency.