Not everyone a fan of open-plan office

In this year’s U.S. Open, both Angelique Kerber, the 2016 Open winner, and Nick Kyrgios, this year’s second seed, were knocked out by Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova and Roger Federer, respectively. Sometimes Open plans don’t work out for even the most talented players.

The same can be said for open-plan offices — even though an estimated 70 percent of U.S. offices are now set up with low or no partitions.

Despite the fact that a new study from researchers at the University of Arizona found that open-plan workers are more physically active and consequently less physically and emotionally stressed than those in semi-private or private offices, not everyone agrees.

If you’re irked by your open workspace, what can you do, besides closing off the outer world with headphones? Talk to your boss about approaching the HR department and discussing new policies: Speakerphone calls have to be placed in a conference room; no one can wear perfume or aftershave; food isn’t eaten at desks (the smell of egg salad can be hard to take); personal calls can be made in established privacy zones.

Keeping your cool

Researchers from Germany’s University of Bonn have done a study, published in the journal Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, that pinpoints how poorly regulated inflammatory responses affect certain neurons and can lead to loss of brain cells — especially as you get older.

Major triggers are inflammatory foods like added sugars and saturated fats, hormone-disrupting phthalates and BPA/BPS, and fiery habits like smoking, excess drinking and lack of sleep. If you have Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer or chronic stress, your body’s battling excess inflammation. So call out the fire brigade.

Quick Coolers: To put out your fires NOW try these three steps:

Take 900 milligrams daily of DHA omega-3 from algae.

Take a probiotic.

Floss your teeth daily. Long-term Fixes: To banish destructive inflammation adopt these habits:

Exercise for at least 30 minutes five days a week (walking 10,000 steps or equivalent and strength building).

Sleep seven to eight hours nightly.

Eat inflammation-fighting foods, like salmon, olive oil, 100 percent whole grains and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli and cauliflower).

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.