Monday, August 5 | 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
David A. Navarrete, MSc, MBA, EDRA CORE

During this session, David A. Navarrete delivered a fascinating exploration of the neurobiology of focused attention and the role of environmental cues in modulating perception and mental acuity.

Navarrette points out that "attention responds to visual and special queues to self-regulate", and delved into how our surroundings, steeped with sensory stimuli, generate 'felt states'-chemical changes in our biology that influence our emotions and performance. High-stress environments filled with a large amount of visual stimuli for the brain to process - such as those commonly found in the average 9-1-1 center - typically fail to recharge focused attention, thus affecting our ability to handle responsibilities effectively.

The session also highlighted the importance of visual-spatial cues in triggering a pre-cognitive relaxation response through the parasympathetic nervous system. The presentation underscored that a sensory-rich environment, incorporating elements like tunable lighting schemes that mimic open space, can create spatial illusions of nature, which help reduce stress when access to natural green spaces is limited. These architectural illusions aid in visually alleviating fatigue, promoting mental acuity and mitigating workplace burnout, thus providing quantifiable positive outcomes for cognitive performance and overall well-being.

Submitted by Marilyn Tiburski