Työstä palautuminen luontokokemusten kautta – mennäkö metsään vai virtuaalimetsään?

The Hybrid Nature project examines psychological and physiological recovery from work in nearby nature and virtual nature. The aim of the project is to produce timely research data on how recovery can be supported by means of virtual nature tourism services among employees doing remote or hybrid work.

The project is carried out by the Institute of Rehabilitation and the School of Business of Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences. The project is funded by the Finnish Work Environment Fund.

Recovering from work in nearby nature and virtual nature is examined through multidisciplinary perspectives of health, wellbeing, and tourism. Recovery is analysed with qualitative and quantitative methods including Firstbeat Life measurements, diaries, interviews, and surveys. This multilevel data provides information on physiological and psychological recovery in different kinds of natural environments. The results can be used in workplaces to develop operating models to promote wellbeing in remote and hybrid work.

The study participants who do remote and hybrid work are given an opportunity to test how their bodies and minds recover during visits in the nearby and virtual nature after a workday.

In the first week of the research period, employees recovery is observed during their typical working week. In the second and third weeks, employees test virtual nature trips and visit a nearby nature area. In the fourth week, employees take part in group interviews to share their experiences on recovery during the visits and to discuss the areas of development.

Our research team gladly answers all your questions.

Contact person: Katriina Hyvönen (Research Leader, Senior Researcher), [email protected], +358 (0)50 5170986