Integrating Virtual Reality and Physiological Measures to study Restorative Environments for Mental Well-Being

This paper explores the integration of virtual reality (VR) environments with physiological sensors to study and enhance mental well-being. Building on research emphasizing the role of restorative environments, this study focuses on designing and optimizing experiment to understand restorative potential of realistic virtual outdoor spaces on VR. By using VR combined with physiological measures (e.g., heart rate and skin conductance), the study aims to move from explicit data collection to more implicit, continuous feedback. Preliminary design considerations, challenges, and methodologies are discussed, highlighting VR's potential for improving mental health.