I feel like the main problem of current workspaces is that they are designed as being an "open office".
The Open Office is Naked from Theo Compernolle talks about this in great detail with a lot of scientific references.
But tldr, the following three factors give a chronic increase of stress hormones:
- the constant noise of people talking next to you (or worse, having a phone call) while you are trying to focus
- the lack of privacy and boundaries
- the lack of places to take a good break and relax
Personally, I work in an open office.
Which kind of sucks, but I try to make the best of it, until I one day have my own company.
I use is noise cancelling headphones with white noise and I take a lot of breaks now.
At least 5 minutes per hour.
This helps me personally a lot.
For me a good break is one without any stimuli, and with a lot of privacy.
Taking a walk outside, or doing meditation at the toilet are often the only options I have.
But it is better than nothing I guess.