Project Mentor: Prof. Jong Shin, Community and Population Health
Project Description:
In recent years, the health benefits of forest therapy and mindfulness meditation have gained widespread attention. Forest walking, or "forest bathing," has been linked to stress reduction, improved mood, and enhanced immune function. Similarly, mindfulness practices help manage negative thoughts, foster emotional regulation, and improve sleep quality. This project aims to develop forest walking programs for both real-world and Virtual Reality (VR) settings, exploring VR as a potential solution for individuals who lack access to natural environments.
Do you want to explore how nature and technology can merge to improve mental health and well-being? Are you passionate about mental health, digital health technologies, or nature-based therapy? If so, we invite you to join this exciting research project: “Mindful Steps to Better Sleep and Well-being.” As a student researcher, you will play an active role in designing and implementing forest walking programs, gaining hands-on experience in program development, VR technology, and health intervention research.
Your involvement may include:
- Designing forest walking routes and developing mindfulness meditation sessions.
- Setting up VR environments and testing with participants.
- Assisting with participant recruitment and collecting sleep and health data using wearable devices.
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary researchers passionate about nature, technology, and mental well-being.
If you are excited about merging nature, technology, and mindfulness to enhance well-being, we encourage you to apply! Together, let’s take mindful steps toward a healthier future.