Tech - Scientists create 'the world's most relaxing room'

NEW YORK: Scientists have created "the world's most relaxing room" -- a large-scale multi-media space they claim aims to calm even the most stressed out of minds.

According to them, the room will help motivate different groups of people to combat stress, including, for example, students facing exams and businesses wishing to lower their employees' stress-related absenteeism.

Prof Richard Wiseman, who led the team at University of Hertfordshire, said: "The pace of modern-day life, credit crunch, and financial crisis is making many people feel very stressed and so we have created this space to help them relax.

"Research suggests that the subdued green light enhances the production of dopamine in the brain and provide a calming sensation.

"And, in addition, the artificial blue sky helps create a mild form of sensory deprivation that will help them turn their attention inward and distract them away from daily stress."

The scientists are showcasing the room at the varsity campus this week. And, during the event, groups of up to ten visitors at a time will be invited to enter this space, lie on soft matting and rest their head on lavender-scented pillows.

In each 15-minute session, people will be bathed in a calming glade-like green light, listen to a specially composed soothing soundtrack, and look at a completely clear artificial blue sky, the 'ScienceDaily' reported.

The music that will be played features a solo soprano voice, chosen for the soothing properties of the human voice, together with a Tibetan singing bowl, used in meditation and a string ensemble