Background
Spending time in nature is innately linked to human happiness (Gaekwad et al., 2022). Green spaces, which are community locations consisting of natural vegetation, grass, shrubs, and trees, have long been studied, with many examining the benefits of exposure to nature in improving physical and psychological well-being. Not only does time spent in nature correlate with improved psychological health; it is also correlated with improved physical health. According to Yang et al. (2020), increased time spent in nature is associated with improved cardiovascular health and lower risk of developing diseases like hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and high cholesterol. Despite the positive effects of green spaces, the US is losing an approximated 6,000 acres of open space per day (Loss of Open Space, Loss of Open Space, n.d.). With the clear association of green spaces and positive health effects, combined with the diminishing availability of such spaces, finding alternate methods of exposure to nature is of paramount importance. While physical green spaces remain the gold standard, we can supplement our time in nature through innovative means and turn to the digital realm of open air. This digital alternative can be accomplished through virtual reality, namely the Metaverse.
The concept of biophilia suggests that humans are inherently connected to nature and the more connected we are to nature, the better our physical and psychological health becomes (Gaekwad et al., 2022). With the increase in urban city development, there is a steady decline in spaces with natural vegetation; this means there is less access to gardens, parks, and blue spaces like rivers, lakes, waterways, and ponds (McCartan et al., 2023). Such outcomes reinforce the importance of preserving physical green spaces.
Field Observation
A group of students at WCU-Texas Master of Physician Assistant Program, under the guidance of their faculty, surveyed individuals visiting green spaces in Dallas, Texas in collaboration with the Audubon Society. The data gathered from this cross-sectional study showed that 100% of participants reported that their mood improved, their stress was reduced, and their ability to cope with life’s challenges improved after a single visit to a green space. This observation prompted the students to answer an important question: how can these benefits be extended to individuals who lack access to green spaces?
Conclusions
The students concluded that emerging technologies such as the Metaverse can offer one potential solution. A study by Sun et al. (2023) of 63 pregnant women in their first trimester found that even a five-minute virtual reality (VR) video of an urban center with green spaces alleviated study participants’ stress and improved their well-being. A Metaverse VR headset therefore offers a therapeutic alternative to people who do not live near green spaces as well as those with impaired mobility. One can be transported to an oasis of sprawling green parks, a canopy of lush leaves, sunlight filtering through the shifting vegetation, a chorus of bird songs, the distant trickle of a steady stream, respite from city noise, and the recalibration of the mind through the digitization of nature. While the outdoors will not be replaced, innovations must evolve to provide nature’s benefits through alternative means.
As healthcare continues to advance, so too must our approaches to promoting well-being. Preserving and advocating for physical green spaces remains as essential as integrating innovative, technology-driven solutions to ensure that the restorative power of nature is accessible to all.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express their utmost gratitude to WCU- Texas Master of Physician Assistant Program alumni, Kyla Dayag, Lauren Sommer, and Cassidy Wilson. These students conducted the original research study mentioned here with the support of the Audubon Society and under our guidance. The authors would also like to thank Jerrod Tynes for his leadership in directing the students in their capstone project. Last, the authors would like to thank Jake Poinsett at the Trinity River Audubon Center in Dallas, TX for his mentorship and access to data collection.