CSA Online Colour Your World Want to brush up on your painting skills? Try Tilt Brush, a VR sketching tool created by Google. With the entire room serving as your canvas, this app lets you paint scenes in 3D using such tools as a brush and pen. You can also paint alongside others using the multi-player version of the game, MultiBrush. Build Cities in Space If space is still your final frontier, then check out Spacefolk City. This VR simulation game empowers players to build vibrant and imaginative cities in the cosmos, just as shown in the various Star Trek TV series. You’ll also get to flex your urban planning muscles. Relax and Have Fun Need to veg out? The highly popular Fruit Ninja VR game may appeal. This juicy action game enables players to slice, dice, skewer and juggle virtual fruits from all angles while deflecting bombs from the bad guys outside. It can be played alone or with others. Guided Tai Chi VR offers a very different way to unwind. With stunning virtual backgrounds and step-by-step instructions, this app allows users to engage in balance-building exercises inspired by several popular tai chi styles. Watch Home Theatre Want to enjoy movies and TV shows on a humongous home screen? Oculus TV (now known as Meta Quest TV) offers a virtual cinematic experience with a wide range of content including movies, TV shows and sports, on a massive virtual screen equivalent to a 180-inch TV set. Get your popcorn ready! How Can I Use VR Safely? Of course, VR is not just fun and games. As with all new technologies, it presents some challenges for users. As spelled out by Consumer Reports and medical professionals, the potential harmful impacts range from cybersickness (dizziness and nausea) to disorientation and imbalance to cognitive and motor impairments. VR users can also suffer from eye strain and fatigue, social isolation, addiction and sleep disturbance. Basic Mitigation Strategies Fortunately, snowbirds can take some tried-and-true steps to protect themselves from harm. Here are some basic recommendations from medical professionals and Consumer Reports: Start using VR gradually. Take your time getting used to the virtualization experience so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Only use VR in safe, trusted environments. If you can start at home, that would be ideal. Begin with simple, basic VR experiences. You can always build up to more complicated virtual environments over time. Select suitable VR content. For instance, start with pleasant, soothing apps, not scary or other highly stimulating virtual experiences. Take frequent rest breaks. Bring your attention back to the real world at regularly scheduled intervals. Monitor yourself closely for any harmful symptoms, such as dizziness, eye strain, imbalance or disorientation. Consult your doctor if you experience these issues or any other health problems. Always put comfort first. For instance, if that new VR headset feels too tight or confining, send it back and trade it in for a more comfortable model. Explore different apps and games. With more than 200 well-regarded VR apps now available, you have plenty of choices. Take advantage of the selection. No matter which apps you try, virtual reality has the potential to make your life better – in actuality. CSANews | SUMMER 2025 | 45
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