The peace and calm that comes from walking in nature is something most people know. Natural environments are where humans thrive.
A new study used virtual reality to put green plants in an otherwise gray urban hellscape to see if it increased human participants' mental health in the same way. Researchers from two French universities published their findings in a journal.
Humans are better adapted to live in green vegetation than in concrete environments, according to the co- authors. Nature vegetation can't be introduced into a built environment.
Although obstacles like city planning and a lack of resources can interfere with plans to include green spaces in cities, the study says city designers already use green patches of color.
Infrastructure like bridges and overpasses can be seen in pictures of the fake environments created. It's easy to understand why the data pointed to green environments as providing more pleasurable experiences when you compare the images.
The team used a Vive headset to determine that participants walked slower and had higher heart rates in green settings, and that most tests pointed to the conclusion that colors may be a powerful tool to get people to stay in the city.
We all know how great it is to be outside. Let's hope that our access to those experiences is improved by the use of virtual reality.
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