Into the wild … or not: Virtual nature experiences benefit well-being regardless of human-made structures in nature

Abstract

Immersive nature experiences increase human well-being. There is now an increasing number of studies suggesting that virtual nature experiences—e.g., within a virtual reality (VR) environment—can evoke comparable benefits. In the current study using VR, we tested whether human-made structures within nature settings hinder such effects of virtual nature experience on well-being. To do so, 67 participants were led through a VR nature surrounding that was either wild and untouched by humans, or was characterized by few inconspicuous human structures (i.e., paths, buildings, walls, bridges). Before and after the intervention, we measured subjective vitality and after the intervention, we assessed perceived restorative outcome as two indicators of well-being. Results revealed that both virtual nature experiences improved participants’ subjective vitality. Across both groups, participants reported relatively high—and similar—levels of restoration. These findings suggest that (virtual) nature experiences can be beneficial for well-being even when human-made structures interfere. Thus, irrespective of how pristine the environment is, the beneficial effects of immersive VR nature experiences provide opportunities for well-being when physical nature is inaccessible.

Emotion regulation and virtual nature: cognitive reappraisal as an individual-level moderator for impacts on subjective vitality

“…Specifically, all three types of natural environments presented, namely the park, the lacustrine, and the arctic, were all significantly more effective than the urban environment in increasing levels of subjective vitality. The potential of virtual nature to increase subjective vitality has been found by other researchers as well 17,18,23,41 . A contribution that our findings offer here is the demonstration of how different types of nature may have different magnitudes of effects.…”

Multiple crises in mind, biodiversity out of sight? Insights from a behavioral study in Germany

“…Many studies demonstrate how biodiversity ensures provision of critical ecosystem services, such as crop pollination (Kleijn et al 2015) and cleaning air and absorbing carbon dioxide (Merk et al 2023). The value of biodiversity is also increasingly acknowledged for overall good quality of life and happiness (Methorst et al 2021;Reese et al 2022). Despite the recognition, biodiversity loss remains a major societal challenge.…”