Digital healing gardens and metaverse for wellness

This paper explores the potential of phygital healing gardens—blending physical and digital dimensions—and metaverse for enhancing psychological wellness in university counselling environments. Traditionally linked to outdoor spaces, healing gardens are reimagined here through virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) within the metaverse, offering immersive, multisensory experiences accessible indoors. Focusing on the MOEBIUS PRO-BEN project, the research examines how digitally mediated nature can support students’ mental health by creating adaptive, personalized therapeutic environments. By integrating environmental psychology, technology, and spatial design, the study proposes scalable and replicable models for digital healing gardens, aiming to bridge the gap between nature and therapeutic needs in higher education contexts.