Is this the world's most relaxing room?



Chilled-out scientists are opening 'the world's most relaxing room' today as a sanctuary from the credit crunch.

The room features soft green lighting, artificial blue skies, the scent of lavender in the breeze and the dulcet tones of a low frequency lullaby capable of soothing the most savage of beasts.

Stressed? People enjoy Professor Wiseman's relax room at the University of Hertfordshire

Creator and psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman 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.'

The University of Hertfordshire is opening its mellowing multimedia attraction, which is the first of its kind in Britain, to the public.



Visitors to the exhibition can enjoy a 15-minute session in the relaxing soft-matted room and experience the 'mild sensory deprivation' that the University claims could benefit 'students facing exams and businesses wishing to lower their employees' stress-related absenteeism'.

One man is hooked up to health monitors to chart his stress levels in the relax room

Prof Wiseman said: 'Previous work has shown that these colours, sounds and smells all help people relax, but this is the first time that they have been combined in this way, and it will be fascinating to look at the effect on visitors' relaxation levels.'

The professor also advises spending time in the countryside, hanging out with friends, and hitting the gym as ways to ease stress.



The exhibition is part of the University's Health and Human Sciences Research Institute Showcase and runs until October 24 at the de Havilland campus.