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A decade of spreading calm.

Ten years, fifteen locations and clients in seven countries. What we have learned about relaxation and the business of stillness.

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Case study

How Mobile Saltworks Built a Mobile Spa Around Relax VR

Mobile Saltworks brings salt therapy, massage chairs and Relax VR to schools, workplaces and events across North Carolina in an all-electric van. Founder Quentin McAddoo shares how VR became the heart of his business, and why 97% of clients choose it.

Science

Digital Wellbeing in the Age of Smartphones: Who Is in Control?

Digital wellbeing focuses on developing a healthy, conscious, and balanced relationship with technology. Smartphones can challenge this balance when their use becomes automatic, difficult to regulate, or begins to interfere with everyday life. We explore the concept of problematic smartphone use and invite you to reflect on a key question: How healthy is your relationship with your smartphone? Finally, we introduce the 5R Framework for Digital Wellbeing, with five practical strategies for more mindful and intentional smartphone use.

Science

Psychedelic Experiences in Virtual Reality

Psychedelic VR is emerging as a novel approach to inducing altered states of consciousness without the use of psychoactive substances. It represents a promising intersection between immersive technology and mental health, with potential applications in emotional regulation, wellbeing, and therapeutic intervention. In this post, we introduce the concept of Psychedelic VR and review the current scientific literature examining its clinical efficacy.

Guides

Integrating Salt Therapy with Virtual Reality

In this post, we explore how combining salt therapy with virtual reality can create a deeply immersive, multisensory experience to support both respiratory health and emotional well-being. We introduce the basics of salt therapy, review current scientific findings, and highlight the unique potential of this integrative approach.

Case study

A Decade of Spreading Calm: Impact & Insights

In the 10 years since we started working on Relax VR, a lot has changed. From the significant improvements and scientific validation of VR technology, to the increasing awareness of the negative impacts of social media. In this post we reflect on the impact and insights from a decade of spreading calm.

Science

VR Meditation and its Benefits

Virtual Reality Meditation (VRM) is changing how meditation is practiced and learned in contemporary settings. It has emerged as an important tool to support well-being, particularly for beginners and those who face challenges with traditional contemplative practices. In this post, we review the main advantages of VRM and analyze the scientific evidence behind its psychological and emotional benefits.

Science

LinkedIn and Mental Health

While LinkedIn is a powerful platform for professional growth and networking, excessive or comparison-driven use may negatively impact mental health. This post reviews current scientific evidence on LinkedIn and psychological wellbeing, highlighting potential risks such as anxiety, depression, and imposter syndrome. It concludes with practical recommendations to encourage healthier, more mindful engagement with the platform and to foster digital wellbeing among users.

Science

VR Relaxation for Military Personnel & Veterans

Military personnel and veterans face elevated risks of stress-related conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool for promoting relaxation, mindfulness, and emotional regulation in these populations. Beyond traditional exposure therapy, VR offers immersive, multisensory environments that enhance engagement, reduce stigma, and enable personalized, non-invasive interventions.

Science

6 Steps for Overcoming Social Media Addiction

Social media can positively impact mental health by fostering community and support, but excessive use can lead to anxiety, stress, and lower self-esteem. To help individuals navigate their relationship with social media, a six-stage model is presented, allowing each person to assess their current stage and take practical actions. These include setting usage limits, taking detox periods, practicing mindfulness, and using tools and apps that promote healthy digital habits.

Science

AI Chatbots and Mental Health

AI chatbots are becoming increasingly popular in the field of mental health, offering accessible interventions for conditions like anxiety and depression. Research highlights their potential to improve emotional well-being and bridge gaps in mental health care. However, excessive use may lead to risks such as emotional dependency and social withdrawal. This post provides a comprehensive review of the current literature, examining both the positive potential of AI chatbots in mental health and the possible risks of addiction and dependence.

Science

The Effects of WeChat on Mental Health

WeChat is one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide. With its comprehensive ecosystem of integrated services, it plays a central role in users' daily lives. Recent research highlights its positive effects on mental health, including enhanced emotional well-being, stronger social connections, and improved cognitive performance in adults. However, excessive use may also pose risks to emotional health. This post offers an updated and in-depth review of the latest findings on WeChat's impact on mental health.

Case study

How Pink Ribbon Lymphatic Increases Customer Satisfaction with Relax VR

Pink Ribbon Lymphatic Massage offers physical therapy, vibroacoustic therapy and lymphatic drainage to post surgery patients, post cancer patients and lymphedema patients. While medically based, it has a spa feel, where customers are encouraged to come in and relax. It has been offering Relax VR since May 2023, which continues to provide significant value to its customers.

Science

The Effects of TikTok on Mental Health

TikTok has emerged as a dominant social media platform among adolescents and young adults globally. While it can foster community and support, recent literature highlights its concerning impact on this vulnerable demographic. This post provides an in-depth review of the latest research examining TikTok's effects on mental health. Additionally, it includes a screening test to determine if the reader has an excessive or addictive use of TikTok, along with seven recommendations for promoting a healthier use of the platform.

Science

The Effects of YouTube on Mental Health

While YouTube can act as a valuable platform for accessing and sharing information, its inappropriate use may have negative effects on mental well-being. This post reviews literature on the topic, addressing risks such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Recommendations for healthy YouTube use are provided, emphasizing setting boundaries and engaging with high-quality content.

Science

Virtual Reality for Dental Anxiety and Pain

Dental spas are integrating spa-like elements into dental settings to alleviate patient’s discomfort, pain and anxiety during dental procedures. The use of Virtual Reality (VR), aromatherapy and stress reduction techniques have the potential to enhance the overall efficiency and satisfaction in dental settings. In this post, we review the efficacy of the multi-sensorial nature of VR to reduce the levels of pain and anxiety in dental care.

Case study

How H.E.R Spa Generates Revenue with Relax VR

H.E.R Spa is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Opened in February 2022, it operated during evenings from a suite for much of its first year, and currently runs as a mobile spa. H.E.R Spa has been offering Relax VR since its inception, which continues to generate revenue and provide value to H.E.R Spa’s customers. After initially starting on the rental plan, then seeing how useful Relax VR was for clients, H.E.R Spa decided to purchase Relax VR outright.

Guides

Ideas for Protocol Design

Relax VR can be integrated into a spa in a variety of ways. One of the most immersive ways is by creating a multi-sensory spa journey incorporating all five senses. In this post we present ideas to get you thinking on how you can offer a unique and unforgettable treatment using Relax VR at your own spa.

Science

The Benefits of Conscious Breathing

Conscious breathing is a simple but powerful practice. As taught in hatha yoga, it has both basic and advanced forms and a number of benefits. Recently, scientific studies have begun validating its effectiveness in reducing stress and anxiety, and improving cognitive performance.

Science

Virtual Reality for Pain Management

Thirty years of research has shown the efficacy of Virtual Reality (VR) as a non-pharmacological tool for the management of acute pain. In this post we look at how VR can be effective at controlling pain, and its use during infusion therapy.

Science

Promoting Relaxation with Virtual Reality

A growing number of studies are showing that exposure to virtual natural scenes is an effective and affordable tool for reducing levels of anxiety and for promoting a positive mood. In this post we review the current scientific evidence about the use of VR as an anxiety management tool.

Science

How to Cope with Climate Anxiety

Climate anxiety is a term used to describe the emotional, mental or somatic distress experienced in response to changes in the climate system. Recent studies have shown its negative impact on emotional wellbeing. However, there are a number of coping strategies that can be adopted to help to manage it.

Science

The Benefits of Binaural Beats for Mental Health

During the last few years, binaural beat technology has started to be recognized as a powerful technique to improve psychological wellbeing and quality of life.

Science

Essential Oils and Virtual Reality

Essential oils are natural and non-invasive methods that can help to regulate mood. Recent research studies have shown the benefits of combining essential oils with Virtual Reality.

Case study

Take a Virtual Vacation at Estes Park's Wellness Cottage

I need a vacation - don't we all these days? Virtually traveling to the beautiful national park of Wineglass Bay, located in Tasmania, Australia, was paradise.

Science

The Effects of Instagram on Mental Health

Although Instagram can help people connect and interact with others, its inappropriate use can also have a negative impact on mental health. There are a number of steps we can take to make sure we use it in a healthy way.

Science

The Effects of Facebook on Mental Health

While Facebook has grown in popularity, researchers and practitioners have begun expressing concerns about its impact on mental health. However, there are a number of steps we can take to protect ourselves from its negative effects.

Case study

Relax VR in Australia

Lavanya Spa in Australia decided to use Relax VR to take their treatments to the next level and found an innovative way to incorporate VR with their existing treatments.

Guides

3 Easy Ways to Offer Relax VR at Your Spa

The Relax VR treatment can easily pair with most services currently on your menu, adding great value and impressing your clients with exciting technology. Here are 3 easy ways to incorporate VR into your existing offerings.

Guides

The Evolution of Spas and Technology

From their ancient origins of thermal bathing, spas have come a long way. While manual-therapy treatments comprise a large part of existing treatments and offerings, there is no denying the increasing place of technology in spas.

Science

Digital Worlds  —  Real Relaxation

Over the last 25 years an increasing number of publications have appeared about the efficacy of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) in the treatment of anxiety-related disorders.

Science

Virtual Reality to Cope with Stress and Anxiety

In the 21st Century, mental health disorders like stress, anxiety and depression have become a part of our daily lives. Fortunately, emerging technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) can be used to facilitate the relaxation process in both clinical and non-clinical populations.

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