Virtual reality can allow you to experience the world from the comfort of your home, ranging from immersive 3D worlds to fast-paced rhythm games–but did you know virtual reality can improve mental health? While it can bring excitement and wonder, virtual reality can be an effective way to find relaxation and calm the senses.
Read more to learn how virtual reality can promote better mental health.
Simon Riches’ Study on Virtual Reality and Mental Health
Virtual reality boasts immersive abilities and exciting new worlds. As a technology that grants a convincing digital perspective and hands-on experience, using these features for relaxation can be extremely effective. A 2023 study by clinical psychologist Simon Riches and his colleagues found that virtual reality is an effective tool to promote relaxation.
The study followed 848 participants with conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis. Riches and his colleagues propose that virtual reality is a more accessible way to treat the stress these mental conditions may cause, as “stress management interventions for people with mental health conditions are numerous but they are difficult to implement and have limited effectiveness in this population.”
How VR Promotes Relaxation
Riches’ study involved placing participants in a VR headset, mostly sitting down during the experience. It showed them nature-based environments like forests, islands, mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and beaches to promote relaxation. Some participants could explore these digital landscapes and walk along a path, or touch the water of a waterfall. Other participants experienced a more stressful environment or exercise, such as walking on a shaky path.
Similarly, in a 2022 study, clinical psychologist Jingni Ma and her colleagues found that natural landscapes in VR were effective tools to help promote mindfulness (“a mental state where one is focused on the present moment with non-judgmental awareness”) training in adults.
Results: Virtual Reality Can Improve Mental Health
The results of Riches’ study found that using VR to explore and experience virtual landscapes can promote short-term improvements in levels of relaxation, along with reduced anxiety or stress. Despite these results, VR was reported to be more or equally effective in comparison to non-VR relaxation techniques.
Conclusion
With all its possibilities, virtual reality can be a powerful tool to relax and de-stress. Experiencing digital landscapes in VR proves itself in multiple studies to promote better mental health as a source of relaxation and aiding in mindfulness training. Though VR can entertain and excite, it proves itself to do even more.
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