Here at Mind Over Mountains, we believe passionately in the power of walk and talk therapy, outdoors in nature. Yes, traditional therapy sessions have their place, but they’re not always useful for everyone - and research clearly supports the combination of physical exercise alongside the supportive environment of a counselling session. So, here’s everything you need to know about walk and talk therapy, and why the added element of nature really is a winning formula.

What is walk and talk therapy?

Walk and talk therapy is a simple concept, and has increased in popularity particularly since Covid, as lockdowns forced us all to change our habits drastically and many therapists were unable to see clients face to face.

But walk and talk therapy isn’t actually a new concept. In fact, Freud himself was known to incorporate it into his own work back in the 1800s!

Put simply, walk and talk therapy is therapy, but with movement. It strips away the often stark office setting, and the traditional patient-client setup. Instead of being seated, clients and counsellors are outside, walking as they talk... and the results can be quite profound.

How does walking help improve mental fitness?

A study carried out in 2019 looked at a variety of participant experiences, with walk and talk sessions taking place in varied settings, from forests, parks, hillsides and nature reserves, to more urban settings too. The resounding conclusion was that even walks in less green spaces were beneficial to mental wellbeing. So why is that?

Walking is a simple, yet profoundly beneficial exercise, and has a significant impact on brain function. When we walk, our brain activity increases, and pathways linked to mood regulation and cognition are fired up. The movement releases endorphins and serotonin, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. All combined, walking alone can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, boost overall mood and enhance cognitive function. 

Walking helps improve connections with others

With all this extra brain activity comes the ability to deepen connections with others. We become more open, more able to have real and honest conversations. Unlike more traditional settings, walking alongside someone whilst talking can help us to feel less pressured, and more able to open up about how we feel.

Traditional therapy sessions can sometimes feel a little intimidating. It’s not as easy to open up, in the same way as it is when you simply walk alongside someone else. Walking allows you to fall in step with others, and can help to reduce inhibitions, easing the pressure for many.

And don’t underestimate the rhythmic power of walking either. The natural flow of our footsteps can become almost meditative, helping us to feel more reflective and self-aware. And the fact that counsellors walk alongside us further helps to ease the pressure. Now, we're a team, we're connecting in more ways than one as we each navigate the terrain and find our way along. So we can add team-work and listening skills to the benefits of walk and talk therapy too!

How does walk and talk therapy in nature help?

Taking walk and talk therapy out into nature? That’s where the magic happens. The University of Cumbria carried out research with therapists who used walk and talk with some clients, and the results truly speak for themselves.

Participants spoke of walk and talk sessions “promoting equality” and “a sense of informality” which helped the sessions overall to feel more helpful. And when asked about the outdoor element, the study concluded that:

“Outdoor and nature-based settings were considered to offer healing and restoration through a sense of freedom, space and openness… The opportunity to journey through and be in an outdoor environment allowed a sense of connection to develop between self and nature: Being in touch with nature enhances creativity and freedom to speak, allows for space in therapy, physically and mentally… {it} helps the client to get in touch with them self as the path is always going forward and unconsciously they can see natural growth all around.” 

Incorporating nature into therapy sessions truly amplifies the benefits of walk and talk. We know that spending time in nature can significantly reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing; combining the sights, sounds and smells of the natural environment can have a calming effect, helping to deepen the benefits of the session overall. You feel more grounded, more connected to the person beside you and the world around you. 

This connection to nature can help to foster a sense of perspective and inner peace, both crucial for mental fitness.

Walk and talk therapy can help to restore and sustain mental fitness

What we offer here at Mind Over Mountains is research-backed. We believe in a holistic approach to mental wellbeing, blending the physical benefits of walking with the emotional support of therapy. And, of course, with the boost we get from being in nature. All of this combined helps to stimulate brain activity, encourages openness and deepens our ability to make meaningful connections.

Walk and talk therapy, outdoors in nature, can provide a clear path towards a healthier mind and body, restoring and staining your mental fitness. If you’d like to walk with us, please do take a look at our upcoming events and challenges. We’d love to welcome you up on the hills!