The Calm Zone
Immersive virtual reality space
Being human is tricky. When faced with life’s challenges, tolerating uncertainty and distress can be extremely challenging. Whilst it is understandable individuals want to avoid difficult emotions, the key is learning to get some distance between thoughts and feelings that can become overwhelming. Without doing this, it can be difficult at times, to make thoughtful decisions.
There are a number of ways of doing this but a core skill to develop is learning to ‘standstill in the here and now’ rather than focusing on the past or cycling around worries about the future.
By immersing yourself in a calming environment, skills can be developed to regulate emotions and feel more in control of your mind. The Brain Recovery Calm Zone helps to do just this.
Content on the Platform
The virtual realities on the platform are as varied as the definitions of relaxation, and offer users the opportunity to: sit on the beach at sunset, walk through A. A. Milne’s Hundred Acre Wood, dive with turtles, find stillness on a mountain side and lake and experience the Northern Lights in Iceland. There are different parts to the platform, including:
Evidence based psychological strategies
When under large amounts of stress, high levels of stress hormones are released into the body. This can affect sleep due to disrupting natural body rhythms and it can also leave individuals feeling exhausted, with little energy. Evidence based psychological exercises can be helpful during these times. Mindful breathing, paired muscle relaxation and controlled breathing have all been built into the platform. These can be useful for individuals who experience high levels of physical tension and the breath training exercises can also help reduce the brain’s stress response.
Night time wind down exercises
To promote good sleep hygiene, including guided meditation through space.
Soothe
Immersive experiences ranging in length with the aim of allowing the brain to calm and recharge.
Final thoughts
VR can really help to soothe the brain. Our aim is to provide an evidence based, immersive space to support individuals to build a feeling of calm and stillness and develop skills to take into the outside world.
Do you want to link with us on future clinical studies, please contact us by email info@brainrecoveryzone.com
Collaborators
