Stress has become an increasing issue in modern society, affecting the mental and physical health of individuals across all age groups and demographics. Therefore, innovative solutions that extend beyond traditional methods are required to reduce stress. Our study investigates the effects of immersive virtual reality (VR) environments on stress reduction by comparing them to non-immersive environments while integrating creative arts therapy and breathing exercises. The study uses a quasi-experimental design to observe two participant groups: one experiencing a VR-based intervention and the other a non-immersive control environment (Desktop). Each group data collection included pre- and post-exposure surveys and heartbeat variability measurements to assess stress levels subjectively and objectively. The results suggest that both environments can mitigate stress. However, the non-immersive environment has more statistically significant results in reducing stress compared to the immersive environments. This may be attributed to the overstimulation of immersive environments, users' readiness for the immersive technology, and the user experience offered by the VR headset employed in the study. Overall, this research highlights the potential of both immersive and non-immersive environments as modern tools for enhancing stress reduction. Future research could explore long-term effects and a more diverse demographic to better understand immersive environments' impact on stress reduction and management.