Virtual nature experiences and mindfulness practices while working from home during COVID-19: Effects on stress, focus, and creativity. Issue 171 (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ch, Nabil Al Nahin; Ansah, Alberta A.; Katrahmani, Atefeh; Burmeister, Julia; Kun, Andrew L.; Mills, Caitlin; Shaer, Orit; Lee, John D.
• Is Part Of: International journal of human-computer studies. Issue 171(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Working from home -- COVID-19 -- Stress -- Creativity -- VR -- Mindfulness; Human-machine systems -- Periodicals; Systems engineering -- Periodicals; Human engineering -- Periodicals; Human engineering; Human-machine systems; Systems engineering; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2022.102982
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1071-5819

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we focus on the impact of daily virtual nature experiences combined with mindfulness practices on remote workers' creativity, stress, and focus over an extended period (9 weeks) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results show a positive effect of virtual reality (VR) nature experience on increasing focus and reducing stress. When VR nature and mindfulness practices were combined, we also found an increase in convergent thinking task performance. Our findings demonstrate that 10-minute daily exposure to VR nature and mindfulness practices could compensate for some of the adverse effects of working remotely by improving some aspects of workers' well-being and creativity. Highlights: VR nature experience can have positive effects on stress and focus of remote workers. Combined VR nature and mindfulness practice can improve convergent thinking. An intervention that improves convergent creativity can worsen divergent creativity.