Restorative Environment

An environment—physical or virtual—that promotes psychological recovery from mental fatigue and stress. Based on Attention Restoration Theory, restorative environments typically feature natural elements (water, vegetation, wildlife), scenic views, and low-demand fascination that allows directed attention to rest. In virtual reality accessibility applications, restorative environments such as forests, beaches, or mountains are commonly used for older adults or people with dementia because they promote presence and positive emotional responses. However, designers should be aware that highly realistic virtual water or other elements may trigger anxiety in some users.