Exploring Physiological and Psychological Responses to Different Types of Green and Blue Spaces through Two Virtual Media

The rapid urbanization of modern society has led to various physiological and psychological public health problems. Numerous theoretical and empirical studies have demonstrated that exposure to natural environments benefits public health and well-being. The recent emergence of digital media, such as virtual reality (VR) and digital images (DI) that simulate green and blue spaces, allows individuals to experience 'virtual nature' without extensive travel. However, more evidence is needed to understand better the physiological and psychological health impacts of different virtual green and blue spaces presented by different virtual media forms. This study aims to explore physiological and psychological responses to three kinds of natural green spaces (NGS), natural blue spaces (NBS), and artificial green-blue spaces (AGBS) through two media forms, namely, DI and immersive VR in a controlled lab environment. We recruited 38 participants for our experiment. During the experiment, wireless sensors were used to measure their stress levels by monitoring skin conductance levels. At the same time, their psychological responses were collected using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Perceived Restorativeness Scale Questionnaire. The results showed that experiencing virtual blue and green spaces could provide physiological and psychological health benefits regarding stress recovery, but the benefits were stronger in the psychological aspect. We also found that NBS resulted in a significant decrease in the skin conductance level compared with NGS and AGBS. Our findings open new avenues for nature-based interventions and urban policies to promote health and well-being.