Media Content vs Nature Stimuli Influence on Human Brain Activity

The aim of this study was to identify what neurophysiological and psychophysiological changes in the indicators of the functional state occur during the active perception of media content in comparison with the background contemplative activity when the rest state networks are engaged. Psychophysiological methods showed a more significant decrease in the stress index of cardiovascular activity and an increase in heart rate variability after the passive perception session. The indicators of complex visual-motor response did not differ in the active and passive experiments. However, it was after the passive perception session that the proof test evaluating attention and performance efficiency showed a higher speed of work and a higher volume of the reviewed material. The study showed that the background video sequence, which does not contain information and speech content, contributes to the activation of resting state networks. At the same time, the stress index of the cardiovascular system decreases and the heart rate variability increases; while after a 30-min session of calm wakefulness and contemplation of video sequences of nature, the speed of operator performance increases, as a practical advice, it is suggested not to “surf” the Internet during work breaks, browsing information and entertainment resources, but to look out the window, listen to the sounds of nature, and, contemplating the world around, let one’s thoughts flow freely (mind flow). It is at these moments that the default mode networks begin to work, the functioning of which is no less important for the optimal state of the brain and nervous system.