Understanding Why Movement is Key for Your Mind

In today’s fast-paced world, mental health has become more important than ever.  

With the rise of stress, anxiety, and depression, many people are seeking ways to manage their mental well-being and while traditional methods like talk therapy, medication, and meditation are well-known, the often-overlooked, yet powerful tool that can significantly enhance mental health, is walking!

Walking is one of the simplest, affordable and most accessible forms of physical activity, but its benefits extend far beyond physical health, as regular walking can play a crucial role in supporting mental health, too.  

Whether you are walking through the park, around your neighbourhood, or on a nature trail, the act of walking is proven to reduce anxiety, improve mood, and increase cognitive functioning.

3 Key benefits of walking include:

1. Boosts Mental Clarity

   One of the most immediate benefits of walking is its ability to elevate your mood, lower your stress levels and improve cognitive functioning.  For many people, walking provides a mental reset, whether you are struggling with a creative block, feeling foggy, struggling with decision making, or needing a peaceful mind.

   
   

2. Improving Physical Wellbeing

   Walking is not just good for your mind but also good for your body, as depending on your pace, walking can make your heart healthier, build stamina, burn excess calories and increase blood circulation, which helps reduce tension in the body and promotes better sleep.

   
   

3. Promoting A Mindful Connection

   Walking outdoors has its own unique set of mental health benefits, where exposure to natural environments, e.g. a walk in the park or a hike through the woods, can be grounding, encouraging mindfulness and offer a sense of tranquillity.

   
   

4. Release of Negativity

   Walking can help break the cycle of negative thinking and/or behaviours.  When you walk, especially outdoors, your body experiences positive stimulation, allowing you to let go of distressing thoughts, emotions and feelings.

Whether you are walking alone, or with another, walking can create a mental shift that regulates emotional well-being.

While the benefits of walking for mental health are well-documented, some therapists have taken this idea one step further by combining the act of walking with traditional talk therapy.  This approach, known as Walk and Talk Therapy, is growing in popularity, particularly for individuals, who find therapy in an enclosed space, limiting.

So, what exactly is Walk and Talk Therapy?

As the name suggests, it is a therapeutic approach that combines the benefits of physical activity outdoors, rather than in a traditional office setting - The client and therapist engage in a therapeutic conversation, as they move through a setting, outdoor in nature.

Why Walking and Talking Works?

There are several unique benefits to combining walking with therapy. Here are a few:

• Increased Emotional Openness: Walking in therapy, provides a natural, non-threatening and casual environment, where you can feel less confined and more at ease, as the physical movement allows you to release tension in your body.  The motion during therapy, helps you to feel more relaxed and open, allowing the natural flow of exploration to take place, as you feel freer to express yourself emotionally. 

  
  

• Improved Mental Focus: Walking enhances cognitive functioning, which can improve clarity during the therapeutic process. Clients often report feeling more present and clear-headed, which can help you with problem-solving and emotional insights.

  
  

• Natural Stress Relief: The combination of exercise and being outdoors creates an environment where you can feel less pressured. This is especially helpful, if you experience anxiety or feel overwhelmed, by conventional therapy sessions.

  
  

• Connection to Nature: Nature has a profound impact on mental health. Walking outdoors in natural environments helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, making it the ideal setting for therapy. It also can enhance the therapeutic process by adding a sense of calmness and grounding to the experience.

  
  

I hope you now have a developed understanding of Walk and Talk Therapy - a powerful way to integrate physical movement into the healing process.