Escape to the beach at your desk: The promising role of VR in workplace wellbeing

Imagine an emergency room nurse in a busy London hospital ward, worn down by long shifts and constant pressure. On her break, she notices a new virtual reality headset in the staff room. Curious, she puts it on and is instantly transported to a calm beach, waves lapping gently.

For just 10 minutes, the stress of her job fades as she explores this virtual oasis. When she takes off the headset, she feels recharged and ready to face the next challenges ahead in her day.

Sounds too easy? That’s what researchers Adhyaru and Kemp (2022) aimed to explore in their study on VR’s effectiveness in reducing stress in NHS healthcare workers, published in the academic journal Digital Health.

39 clinicians working in a demanding trauma service took part in the pilot study, engaging in short, nature-themed VR sessions as a brief escape from work pressures.

While many reported reduced stress and improved mood, the researchers noted challenges, such as inconsistent VR quality and access issues, which limited its overall effectiveness.

Still, the research highlights VR's potential to provide a quick escape for those in high-stress jobs. And it shows promise as a tool for enhancing workplace mental health, offering a blend of relaxation and stress relief that's easily accessible during the workday.