How does noise in the office affect happiness and performance? Uncontrolled noise quietly works against you. The happiness research flags it as a clear negative effector, and the key word is uncontrolled. When you have no control over the noise around you, it raises your cortisol and wears on your systems over time. That is real physiological cost, not just annoyance. I call these things no-brainers. If a condition is dragging on your wellbeing and you can easily fix it, then fix it, because you know you will get more happiness out of it. Look hard at your operatories and your [...]