A Journey Through Nature: Exploring Virtual Restorative Environments as a Means to Relax in Confined Spaces
Jingyi Li, Yong Ma, Puzhen Li, Andreas Butz
Abstract
Virtual Reality (VR) technologies can counteract stress or fatigue and restore attention, e.g., by recreating the beauty of nature in a Virtual Restorative Environment (VRE). This has gained additional relevance in the current pandemic: When facing the stress of physical restrictions and a limited activity space, how can VR technologies provide the individual experience of being away? We created a VRE that can be used during trips in automated cars using a captured natural environment and simulated artifacts that communicate vehicle information during VR relaxation. In a user study (N = 21), we compared the proposed in-car VRE to simply closing the eyes. We found that the VRE strongly improved the subjective ratings of mood and slightly increased attentional capacity and the objectively measured performance in a working memory test. Our results provide a concrete starting point for exploring calming VR experiences for future passengers, but also users at home.