Can Virtual Reality Replace Nature’s Health Benefits?
We all know that spending time in nature can be good for our health, but can virtual reality offer the same benefits? Recent research suggests that experiencing nature in virtual reality can bring some health benefits, but it’s still no substitute for the real thing.
What the Research Says
Research shows that exposure to green spaces can have a positive impact on a wide range of health traits. Studies have linked green space exposure to lower rates of early death, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. It is also linked with better general perceived health, and a recent study reported that green space reduces epigenetic aging.
In terms of psychological benefits, a 2019 review paper noted that nature exposure can lead to more positive emotional states, more social interactions, and fewer negative emotions, as well as improved cognition, memory, and attention.
But it’s not clear how much nature we need to see in order to get the full benefits. Do we need a potted plant, a street tree, an urban park, or an untouched wilderness? Are all ecosystems equally beneficial, or do forests, grasslands, and beaches affect health differently? Do we need to smell and hear nature in addition to seeing it?
Virtual Reality: A Tool, Not a Replacement
One tool that might help scientists understand the connections between nature and health is virtual reality. Scientists are now using virtual reality to investigate whether simply seeing nature can relax people. So far, research shows some health improvements associated with experiencing nature in virtual reality, although these benefits are smaller than those gained by exposure to real nature.
Virtual reality can be a useful tool in certain situations, such as when people are stuck indoors due to chronic health conditions. It can bring a bit of nature indoors, which can be beneficial. But it shouldn’t be used as a replacement for real-world exposure to nature.
Nature Accessibility Matters
It’s important to remember that not everyone has equal access to nature. Poor and minoritized people often have less access to nature, and virtual reality is not feasible for everyone’s use because of the cost of the equipment.
What’s more, virtual reality can’t replicate some of the key benefits of nature, such as air and noise pollution mitigation. In the long term, humans must reconnect with nature in the real world, not through goggles and headsets.
The Bottom Line
Virtual reality can offer some health benefits, particularly in situations where nature is currently lacking. But it should not be used as a replacement for real-world exposure to nature. Poor and minoritized people often have less access to nature, and virtual reality is not feasible for everyone’s use. In the long term, humans must reconnect with nature in the real world, not through goggles and headsets.