Reduction of physiological stress by urban green space in a multisensory virtual experiment

Although stress is an increasing global health problem in cities, urban green spaces can provide health benefits. There is, however, a lack of understanding of the link between physiological mechanisms and qualities of urban green spaces. Here, we compare the effects of visual stimuli (360 degree virtual photos of an urban environment, forest, and park) to the effects of congruent olfactory stimuli (nature and city odours) and auditory stimuli (bird songs and noise) on physiological stress recovery. Participants (N = 154) were pseudo-randomised into participating in one of the three environments and subsequently exposed to stress (operationalised by skin conductance levels). The park and forest, but not the…

• SF
  Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas

  Awards: 942-2015, 942-2015-610
• KO
  Knut och Alice Wallenbergs Stiftelse

  Awards: 2018.0152, KAW 2018.0152
• V
  Vetenskapsrådet