{"id":13228,"date":"2022-06-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-06T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=13228"},"modified":"2022-06-08T10:33:24","modified_gmt":"2022-06-08T08:33:24","slug":"can-a-vr-headset-provide-peace-and-tranquillity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/2022\/06\/07\/can-a-vr-headset-provide-peace-and-tranquillity\/","title":{"rendered":"Can a VR headset provide peace and tranquillity?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

INNOVATIONS<\/strong>
PREPARE YOURSELF FOR TOMORROW<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Can a VR headset provide peace and tranquillity?<\/h2>\n\n

Alex Hughes tries to relax with a screen inches from his face… <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

M<\/span>indfulness is big business these days, particularly when it comes to the world of tech. The Calm app exceeded a $1bn valuation in the middle of the pandemic, and its mortal enemy, Headspace, boasts over 30 million users across 190 countries. <\/p>\n\n

While meditation apps are popular, they aren\u2019t the only form of tech working their way into your mindfulness routine. HTC is looking to inject new life into virtual reality headsets by reframing its \u00a3499 VIVE Flow device as an on-the-go \u2018wellness\u2019 system. <\/p>\n\n

So, can a VR headset take me to an oasis of tranquillity?<\/p>\n\n

\"\"
The VIVE Flow headset connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
THE PRACTICAL STUFF<\/span><\/h5>\n\n

Setting up the device is simple. All that\u2019s needed to get started is a smartphone that\u2019s compatible with HTC\u2019s headset, a power source and a USB-C. There\u2019s an app to download that connects your phone to the headset via Bluetooth. This turns your device into a remote control, with different parts of the phone\u2019s display acting as input buttons. Once set up, I put on the headset and used my new controller to peruse the VIVE Flow marketplace. This wasn\u2019t the most intuitive experience, requiring you to remember very precise points on your phone that you can\u2019t see. Many of the experiences the headset offers come at a cost, ranging from 50p to \u00a320 or more. There are a few free experiences available in there, especially for those looking to find their inner Zen with a few short meditation exercises. For games or immersive experiences, prepare to hand over some cash. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

TRANSCENDING TO ANOTHER WORLD <\/span><\/h5>\n\n

My first stop on the journey to tranquillity was BBC\u2019s The Turning Forest. <\/em>In this experience, you\u2019re dropped into a vibrant cartoon-like jungle, with a narrated story. <\/p>\n\n

The lightness of the headset meant I could walk around enjoying it without constantly thinking about the hefty weight on my face. I crossed the sea on the back of a large creature, explored frozen lands and flew through the sky \u2013 a normal day in VR. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"
The headset is less hefty than others, to boost the Zen-like experience<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Spurred on by how much I enjoyed The Turning Forest, <\/em>I looked for more experiential VR apps. I swam (or awkwardly walked around my living room) among corals and small fish, and strolled up a mountain while being told about its history. <\/p>\n\n

While these experiences were easily my favourite part of the HTC VIVE Flow, I found the graphics were sometimes a letdown, with my surroundings being low resolution and somewhat grainy, especially when trying to replicate real-life situations.<\/p>\n\n

Objects were often blurry, even when I adjusted the goggles to fit my eyesight. <\/p>\n\n

This comes down to a mix of low-resolution visuals, and movements that felt laggy. <\/p>\n\n

This is a feature that has caused motion sickness for people with VR in the past. <\/p>\n\n

MEDITATING WITH VR <\/span><\/h5>\n\n

Strapping a 189g pair of goggles to your face, blinding you to your surroundings, doesn\u2019t sound that relaxing. But HTC has made the headset as light as possible, meaning after a while you can forget it\u2019s there. <\/p>\n\n

In fact, this is one of the lightest VR headsets you can buy (the relatively light Meta Quest 2 weighs 500g, for comparison). <\/p>\n\n

This meant I was able to immerse myself for long periods of time \u2013 perfect for meditation. <\/p>\n\n

My first VR meditation outing was called Cosmic <\/em>Flow, <\/em>where spirals and shapes fly past to the sound of windchimes and the odd gong. This was not for me. Feeling slightly overwhelmed and dizzy, I went back to the VR store and tried again. <\/p>\n\n

I downloaded two apps that offered \u2018meditation experiences\u2019. The first dropped me onto a beach during a sunset, with a voice talking me through a meditation session with wave noises in the background. <\/p>\n\n

This was pretty Zen. Sure, I\u2019d rather be on a real beach, but at 8pm on a Thursday this virtual one will do. Other meditation apps followed a similar format \u2013 placing me in some relaxing scenery and guiding me through a calming experience. Some were better than others, but overall, none of it felt like I was transcending to another cosmic plane. Sitting on a blurry virtual beach with gongs playing around you is hardly the nirvana that monks aspire to. <\/p>\n\n

In comparison with other VR headsets, the HTC VIVE Flow is a lower resolution experience. This is a sacrifice you make for the device\u2019s portability, but it does mean that the calming place you find yourself in is slightly blurry or, worse still, glitchy.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

RATING: <\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span>\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PROS: <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Light and portable <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Only requires a smartphone and USB-C cable <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Varied apps for health, meditation, learning and gaming <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Easy to set up <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONS: <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Expensive <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Low visual quality <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Audio could be better <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Limited controls through smartphone <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
VERDICT <\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Did I experience peace and relaxation through virtual reality? No. However, I think some people could become used to the whole experience and start to find some tranquillity. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the headset keeps you distracted with a detailed yet calming experience, that\u2019s when it worked best. But really, when there\u2019s \u00a3499 on the line, I think I would just prefer a good walk to clear my head. For overall value for money, this headset falls short of what I would expect, especially with cheaper, better quality VR headsets out there right now. As a wellness device, I\u2019m not convinced the HTC VIVE Flow can fill that gap in the market. As a portable games console, a way to explore made-up lands, and learn about the world, I can see where the VIVE Flow could have potential. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

3 CHEAPER WAYS TO ACHIEVE MINDFULNESS <\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
GO FOR A WALK<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a clich\u00e9, but a good walk is scientifically proven to improve your mental state. Go for a stroll in the morning and you can improve your sleep, speed up your metabolism and even boost your cognitive function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies show that the results can be even better when this walk is done at a brisk pace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan your walk in a green space and the nature around you will be a further benefit to your wellbeing. In a 2020 study, time spent in nature reduced anxiety in 29 per cent of participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MEDITATION APPS<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you like the idea of using technology in a mindfulness routine, there are lots of meditation apps out there. Two popular ones are Headspace and Mind. Both of these apps include guided meditation sessions, music, calming sounds, affirmations and other features to keep you calm, or help you work through stress. While you do have to pay for most of these apps, they are much cheaper than forking out hundreds of pounds on a VR headset. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BREATHING <\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

You breathe all day, but if you take the time to slow it down and focus on that breathing, it is an easy and effective way to find calmness in your day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A number of studies have shown that slow, deep breathing techniques are effective against anxiety, stress and insomnia. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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