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The World's Most Relaxing Room

Nikhil Swaminathan
By Nikhil SwaminathanOct 24, 2008
Nikhil Swaminathan
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Need a break? If you've got the means, head over to England, where scientists at the University of Hertforshire have cobbled together a multimedia installation that they dub the "world's most relaxing room." The exhibit, which runs through the end of this work week, offers lavender-scented pillows and a soft surface for a power nap, calming sky blue and green ambient lights, and a specially composed soundtrack to melt away your stress.Psychologist Richard Wiseman, who spearheaded the room's development, says the choice of green and blue lights provide a calming effect, as well as minor (but soothing) sensory deprivation. The ambient music he commissioned consists of low frequency notes (common to electronic music) and maintains a plodding pace with no abrupt shifts in tempo.If this stunt works, we expect one of these rooms to be installed in a Google campus near you.

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