benefits of virtual reality

from the "Anxiety and Stress Management" blog:


Benefits of Virtual Reality
Exercise has been seen as a valuable addition to our lives not only because it promotes physical health, but because it keeps our mental health. The question of whether outdoor exercise or virtual reality exercise is better. Read on.

The February 2006 issue of the International Journal of Stress Management carries a report of just such a study. Evaluating the results from 112 psychology students who were put in one of three situations: taking a brisk outdoor walk, walking on a laboratory treadmill while viewing a virtual reality video of the same outdoor walk or viewing the video without exercise. The psychologists measured mood and "enjoyment" measures before and after the trials and guess what they found?

The students who were on the laboratory treadmill with the virtual reality video were more relaxed and "experienced the least tension of the three conditions". So, it seems that indoor exercise with a component that provides a bit of the great outdoors is beneficial to your mental and physical health.

similarminds

found this on one of Jeremy's blogs: http://similarminds.com/

am curious to take a look - a bunch of personality tests; I suspect it's like topica (wonder if that's still around?)

more bird nests

Here in Rochester, NY, a pair of Peregrine Falcons are pretty famous, having nested on the Kodak Headquarters for several years. Here's a link.

I understand there are a number of birdcams. Here's one I found today:

from the Kim Komando show:

Millions watch eagles' nest
Two bald eagles have captivated millions of Internet viewers. A Webcam is set up over the eagles' nest. For weeks, people have been watching via the Internet, waiting for the eagles' eggs to hatch. The owner of the Webcam says he expects the eggs to hatch some time today.