Walk and Talk Therapy

Ever considered therapy outside instead of sitting inside a room?

Why you might be interested

There are lots of advantages of being outside - you and the therapist are on common ground and you can literally set the pace. If you are a parent of a small child you might bring him or her along. If you find the idea of being in a therapist’s room intimidating, this will have none of those connotations. The therapy may introduce walking into your life or fit in with your own existing routine of being active. Walking is known to be calming as well as a stimulus to new thoughts and ideas. Finally, research shows that walking is not only good for your physical health, but it is also good for your mental health. See resources below.

What will happen

1. You’ll be moving - physically and probably figuratively too.

2. You’ll be breathing and being in nature, which can be meditative.

3. You’ll be connected to the outside world in a gentle way. If you are going through a life transition, have anxiety or are experiencing some kind of loss or grief this may be helpful in grounding you. 

4. You’ll be setting the pace of the session. If you prefer a meditative, relaxing session or walking or a more active, fast-paced session, your therapist will match your pace.

5. You’ll probably be energised physically and mentally by the end of the session and that may carry on into the rest of the day and the week.

Research on Exercise and Mental Health

About.com (http://walking.about.com/cs/mindandspirit/a/mindspirit_2.htm) – Walking for your mind and spirit.

BBC News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17701485) – Walking could be a useful tool in treating depression.

NY TIMES (http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/03/how-exercise-can-calm-anxiety/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0) – How exercise can calm anxiety.

Prevention (http://m.prevention.com/mind-body/emotional-health/depression-and-exercise) – Drug free plan to improve your mood.

Brainblogger (http://brainblogger.com/2013/05/08/exercise-for-depression-a-gold-standard-therapy/) – Exercise for depression; a gold standard therapy.