7. Conclusions
stress reduction
Our exploratory study provides preliminary findings in supporting the positive effect of a 3-week virtual nature experience on nature connectedness, happiness, and positive affect during the COVID-19 pandemic. The need to facilitate virtual nature contact opportunities for youth is underscored during times of crisis, when outdoor nature-based activities are limited. Virtual nature contact might be a simple self-help tool for stress relief that does not require a visit to an outdoor natural environment nor specialized equipment like VR. Future studies with larger samples that make comparisons with real-life nature exposure are warranted to validate the effectiveness and clinical significance of virtual nature experience interventions to target stress reduction.