Examining the physiological stress-reducing effects of virtual nature exposure and slow breathing

Author

• Jesse Benefiel, Cal Poly HumboldtFollow

Graduation Date

Spring 2026

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Master of Arts degree with a major in Psychology, option Academic Research

Committee Chair Name

Kauyumari Sanchez

Committee Chair Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Carrie Aigner

Second Committee Member Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Third Committee Member Name

Ethan Gahtan

Third Committee Member Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Natural environment, Virtual nature, Stress, Stress reduction, Physiological stress, Heart rate variability, Breathing, Slow breathing, Breathwork

Subject Categories

Psychology

Abstract

In a time of excess stress, it is essential to examine accessible stress-reduction methods. Research has demonstrated that virtual nature exposure and slow breathing can independently reduce stress, but the literature is lacking with regard to their combined effects. The present study aimed to replicate independent effects of breathing and nature on stress and to test for potential effects, including whether their combination would produce an interaction effect. Using a 2 Environment (Natural v. Control) by 2 Breathing (Slow v. Normal) between-subjects design, 63 participants completed a modified color-word Stroop task to induce stress and were then exposed to either a virtually presented image of nature or a control image while breathing either normally or slowly. Changes in RMSSD and SDNN from stress induction to treatment were measured and compared across groups. A main effect of breathing emerged for both HRV metrics, whereas no main effects of environment and no interaction effects were detected. These findings support the role of slow breathing in reducing physiological stress, as measured by HRV, and reinforce slow breathing as a method of stress reduction. These results underscore the need for further research to clarify the conditions under which nature exposure may influence stress, alone or in combination with slow breathing.

Citation Style

APA

Recommended Citation

Benefiel, Jesse, "Examining the physiological stress-reducing effects of virtual nature exposure and slow breathing" (2026). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2567.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2567