Apr 26, 2025
Rayne represented the lab in Yokohama, Japan, where she presented a poster at the ACM CHI 2025 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems.
Mindful breathing and Virtual Reality (VR) have shown promise in fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation, which decrease feelings of disconnection, depression, and anxiety. Existing research also underscores the role of play in improving emotional regulation and mindfulness. However, the role of playful engagement in VR and Mixed Reality (MR) based mindfulness interventions remains unexplored. To address this, we developed BRieFLY, a 6-minute meditative MR experience that combines interactive fireflies and guided mindful breathing practice to promote self-connection, self-awareness and belonging. In an exploratory mixed-methods study, participants reported a significant increase in feelings of awareness and belonging after a single session of BRieFLY. User feedback highlighted several areas for improvement to guide future iterations. This exploratory research highlights the unique potential of BRieFLY and establishes a foundation for future studies to explore MR interventions integrating playful interactions and mindful breathing to enhance self-awareness, self-connection and foster a sense of belonging.