A British study praises the merits of nature-themed documentaries. According to the researchers, these productions have a soothing power. However, viewing them could be useful, especially for people staying in hospital.
Several studies have already shown that walking in nature has benefits. Each time, the conclusions evoke benefits on health and well-being . In a press release dated October 14, 2020, a team from the University of Exeter (UK) conducted a study on the potential benefits of nature documentaries.
Researchers conducted an experiment on 96 volunteers. They first watched a video showing a person describing his work at an office supply company. This was boring voluntary content . Then the volunteers watched an episode of Blue Planet II, a naturalist series broadcast on the BBC channel. The images showed the underside of a beautiful coral reef.
You should know that the directors of the study offered the experiment in three different forms. We can mention one broadcast using an HD television and another using a VR headset (360° video). The last delivery medium was also a VR headset, but the latter featured interactive graphics.
According to the results, all visualization methods minimized negative feelings such as sadness and greatly reduced boredom. However, the interactive virtual reality experience generated more intense effects than the others. Indeed, it increased positive feelings such as happiness in volunteers. This experience also intensified the way the volunteers felt connected to nature in general. According to the researchers, 360° VR only allows viewers to observe the virtual environment. In the case of immersive VR, volunteers can actively influence the virtual environment using controllers.
"Our results show that simply watching nature on TV can help improve people's moods and fight boredom" said Nicky Yeo, principal director of the study.
The current Covid-19 pandemic is causing episodes of confinement or curfew depending on the region. In France, for example, the second wave sends many people to the hospital with a risk of saturation. The therapeutic potential of nature through documentaries could in the near future be exploited in hospitals, but also by individuals.
