Virtual Reality: More Than Just Gaming
By Dev Sharma – VR Consultant, Lifelong Tech Nerd, and Accidental Emotional Tourist
Let me tell you the story of how I broke a coffee mug while escaping a burning building… that didn’t actually exist.
It was my first time trying a VR firefighter training simulation, and I got so into it that I dove sideways behind my couch.
Totally forgot I was in a tiny apartment.
Since then, I’ve trained, healed, and traveled using VR in ways that genuinely surprised me.
Once the domain of Silicon Valley bros and gamers, VR has evolved into something deeply useful—dare I say, life-enhancing.
Let’s dive in.
Training in VR: The Only Time You Can Crash a Plane and Still Get Certified
You know what’s weirdly satisfying?
Learning how to respond to chaos without risking your job—or your eyebrows.
A Quick History
Flight simulators kicked it all off. Pilots practiced emergency landings from the safety of a grounded simulator.
Now?
- Firefighter drills
- Medical triage
- Retail training
- Warehouse safety
Even bakeries are training staff on how not to torch croissants.
Why It Works
- Safe, repeatable learning — Mess up? Restart.
- Cost-effective — One simulation, endless replays.
- Engaging — People want to train this way.
Case Study: A logistics company I worked with swapped safety slideshows for VR forklift driving.
In six months? Injuries dropped by 25%.
But Also…
- Motion sickness is real (Avoid burritos before training.)
- Upfront costs can cause CFO panic attacks.
- Some things—like emotional nuance—still need human contact.
Therapy in VR: Mental Health Meets Headset
When my therapist first suggested VR mindfulness, I laughed. Out loud.
Then I tried it.
Fifteen minutes in a peaceful forest, guided breathwork in my ears—and I was genuinely calmer.
Or maybe the cat just wasn’t attacking my keyboard for once.
How VR Supports Mental Health
- Exposure therapy — Gradual, safe immersion in triggers.
- Pain distraction — Used by burn victims to reduce procedure pain.
- Mindfulness — Nature scapes + guided breathing = calm mind.
Real World Impact:
BRAVE mind, developed at USC, helps war veterans reprocess trauma in controlled environments.
It’s intense. It’s powerful. It’s giving people back emotional control.
Caution
- Not everyone responds the same way.
- VR therapy should be guided, not DIY.
- It’s tech plus human care—not a replacement.
Still... if it helps even 10%? That’s a win.
Virtual Tourism: The World in Your Pajamas
I love travel.
I hate airports.
So during lockdown, I “walked” through Paris with a headset.
No lines. No crowds. No one hogging the baggage carousel.
Just vibes.
Why VR Travel Slaps
- Accessibility — Great for people with limited mobility or means.
- Eco-friendly — No jet fuel, just Wi-Fi.
- Immersive learning — Ancient Rome in VR > 4th period history class.
Story: A retirement home hosted weekly VR tours.
Some residents cried when visiting their childhood hometowns.
Real Limitations
- No real smells. No real food.
- Lack of spontaneous encounters.
- Still not a substitute for real travel—but a strong Plan B.
My passport’s dusty. But my curiosity? Fresh.
So… Where’s This All Going?
Here’s me with my metaphorical crystal ball:
- Hybrid classrooms with VR field trips.
- Guided mental health sessions in calming VR landscapes.
- Remote team-building on virtual space stations.
VR isn’t replacing reality.
It’s expanding it. Safely. Creatively. Emotionally.
Final Thoughts: Humanity, With a Headset
I’ve failed in a VR training sim and learned more than any manual ever taught me.
I’ve felt peace in a virtual Zen garden.
VR is still glitchy, clunky, and makes you flail like a caffeinated mime.
But it’s also human.
Strangely, beautifully human.