Introduction: Exposure to natural environments has been associated with psychological and physiological recovery from stress, as outlined in the Stress Recovery Theory. However, much of the existing research has focused on green landscapes—primarily those dominated by vegetation— neglecting the potential benefits of broader biodiversity or dynamic forms of nature. This study investigates whether viewing digital nature scenes that depict a variety of ecosystems and are accompanied by tailored instrumental music can enhance recovery following stress. Method: A total of 107 (experimental group = 55; control group = 52) participants completed a stress-inducing task, the Markus and Peters Arithmetic Test. During the recovery, the experimental group watched a nature video for 15 minutes, while the control group sat alone in a room without external stimulation. Anxiety and affect were evaluated using the 6-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) before and after the task and recovery. Heart rate (HR) and skin conductance level (SCL) were continuously monitored using a wearable sensor. Results: Linear mixed effects model analyses revealed no significant differences between groups in anxiety and affect scores. However, when examining the physiological response during recovery—divided into three 5-minute intervals to capture physiological changes over time—the experimental group exhibited lower heart rate (p < .01) and skin conductance levels (p < .05) in the later phase of recovery compared to controls. This suggests a greater decrease in physiological arousal and, therefore, a faster recovery in those who watched a nature video after the stressinducing task. Conclusions: These results indicate that digital exposure to biodiverse natural environments can aid physiological stress recovery, even when this improvement is not reflected in self-reported responses. Experiencing biodiverse nature through digital formats may offer a practical solution for enhancing well-being, particularly in contexts where direct contact with nature is limited
Biodiverse Nature Videos with Instrumental Music Promote Recovery from Induced Stress
Serra Hilary
;Ricci Nella Giovanna Raffaella;
2025-01-01
Abstract
Introduction: Exposure to natural environments has been associated with psychological and physiological recovery from stress, as outlined in the Stress Recovery Theory. However, much of the existing research has focused on green landscapes—primarily those dominated by vegetation— neglecting the potential benefits of broader biodiversity or dynamic forms of nature. This study investigates whether viewing digital nature scenes that depict a variety of ecosystems and are accompanied by tailored instrumental music can enhance recovery following stress. Method: A total of 107 (experimental group = 55; control group = 52) participants completed a stress-inducing task, the Markus and Peters Arithmetic Test. During the recovery, the experimental group watched a nature video for 15 minutes, while the control group sat alone in a room without external stimulation. Anxiety and affect were evaluated using the 6-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) before and after the task and recovery. Heart rate (HR) and skin conductance level (SCL) were continuously monitored using a wearable sensor. Results: Linear mixed effects model analyses revealed no significant differences between groups in anxiety and affect scores. However, when examining the physiological response during recovery—divided into three 5-minute intervals to capture physiological changes over time—the experimental group exhibited lower heart rate (p < .01) and skin conductance levels (p < .05) in the later phase of recovery compared to controls. This suggests a greater decrease in physiological arousal and, therefore, a faster recovery in those who watched a nature video after the stressinducing task. Conclusions: These results indicate that digital exposure to biodiverse natural environments can aid physiological stress recovery, even when this improvement is not reflected in self-reported responses. Experiencing biodiverse nature through digital formats may offer a practical solution for enhancing well-being, particularly in contexts where direct contact with nature is limited
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