Your home might be making you anxious, and you don’t even know it.
In this first-ever documentary-style episode of The Optimist, filmed in partnership with Ozarke, Jake explores how something as simple as your lighting and décor can drastically affect your mental health, focus, and recovery.
From cold, white fluorescent bulbs that trigger stress to warm, ambient light that helps your body relax, the way your space is designed might be quietly shaping how you think, feel, and perform every day.
Featuring Alex Elsaadi, founder of Ozarke, this episode goes deep into how lighting impacts mood, productivity, sleep, and even sex, plus the design choices that can completely change your energy at home.
If you’ve ever wondered why you feel drained in your own apartment or restless at work, this one’s for you.
Timestamps
00:00 — Intro: Why your environment matters more than you think
03:00 — Alex Elsaadi: From oil & gas to lighting design
06:00 — The science behind light and mood
09:00 — Warm light vs. white light: what your brain prefers
13:00 — Why bad lighting triggers anxiety
16:00 — How lighting affects productivity and creativity
20:00 — The simple home upgrades that change everything
23:00 — Why your couch, coffee table, and lamp all matter
26:00 — Smart lighting, circadian rhythm, and better sleep
30:00 — How lighting impacts recovery and athletic performance
33:00 — The psychology of lighting for sex and intimacy
38:00 — Why most men underestimate their space
44:00 — The small design details that completely shift your mindset
48:00 — The hidden connection between home design and mental health
52:00 — Final thoughts: your space is your nervous system