Technology to aid stress relief

LESS STRESS: Lara and Cesar Iriarte want to inspire others to feel the same way they do about the environment through their natural relaxing DVD soundtracks.

With technology forming an ever-growing part of our lives both in business and pleasure, the hours we spend on computers can add significantly to the stress we have to deal with.

Studies done show stress to be a major cause of bad health so Mangawhai couple Lara and Cesar Iriarte have turned this negative into a positive through an unconventional use of technology.

Here in Mangawhai a small start-up Internet-based business is combining video technology with nature to improve human wellbeing, while also promoting New Zealand.

Nature Stress Relief has just released its first DVD title, Beaches New Zealand, featuring scenes from New Zealand beaches with natural relaxing soundtracks. 

“Our initial market research showed us that people preferred videos of nature with only natural sounds – no music or any narration," says Lara Iriarte from Nature Stress Relief. "So we thought that nature sounds would be better than music and published a DVD of New Zealand beaches with natural sounds of waves and birdsong from native New Zealand birds."

The idea to use a TV screen as a window to nature to relieve stress was born from a deep love of nature. 

“We are passionate about the environment and desire to inspire others to feel the same way. We want to enable people, in today’s fast-paced and chaotic lifestyles, to connect with nature by bringing nature’s peace and beauty in to their lives, homes and offices,” said Cesar Iriarte, co-founder of Nature Stress Relief.

Viewing video of nature scenes has been validated through scientific research to relieve stress, lower the heart rate and induce relaxation. These studies support the fresh use of an existing technology to simulate a natural environment that will have a calming effect.

The seventy seven minute loop tape is already creating interest in the United States and North America and is being trialled in hospital and doctors’ waiting rooms with a positive response. Following a stressful day the video has also been seen to advantage in home situations putting a positive spin on the term ‘veg out’.

The couple intend to further their library with forest and rural DVDs and believe that their combined talents in IT, teaching, photography and botany will be a forerunner towards spreading the message of healthier and therefore happier lives. 

www.naturestressrelief.com