The Healing Benefits and Application of the Virtual Natural Environment

During the COVID-19 epidemic, many people developed negative emotions and stress from staying at home and being separated from normal life for long periods. Virtual reality technology provides the possibility for people to enter into the natural environment and experience physical and mental healing during home isolation. The healing benefits of virtual natural environments and biophilic design, including perceived restorative effects, improved cognitive performance, improved emotional health and physiological stress recovery, were evaluated by analyzing and summarizing existing empirical research. It was found that both 360°photos/videos and computer generated virtual nature experiences can significantly improve the perceived restorative effects of these experiences regardless of whether the subject is in motion or resting state. There is insufficient evidence to prove that virtual nature technology can significantly affect cognitive ability. However, some research showed that it could effectively stimulate creative thinking related to cognitive ability. Virtual nature can significantly alleviate negative emotions and improve positive emotions. Such positive effects are regulated by the usability of equipment. Although virtual nature technology can effectively mitigate physiological stress, the influence of time factors must be clarified. The healing benefits of biophilic design are related to the configuration, type and layout of natural elements. For example, indoor greening can generate better healing benefits than biophilic materials and natural windowscapes. In conclusion, both virtual nature and biophilic design can be used as potential healing scenarios. The former can be combined with personal, public space and social network scenes to heal both individuals and groups and repair social relations. These findings provide a new direction for environmental construction.