Why Your Lighting May Be Destroying Your Mental Health, and A Quick Fix with Alex Elsaadi, Founder and CEO of Ozarke

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