Walking Therapy
The effects of nature and exercise are known to relieve stress and reduce anxiety.
I am delighted to offer Walking Therapy as a service.
I’ve always loved the outdoors. I have many fond childhood memories of building dens in the trees, pond dipping, and bug spotting. I spent days with my parents, and now as a parent with my children, exploring new places and discovering new paths.
As an adult, I often notice the benefits of getting outside. Whenever I feel a bit low, unsure of something, or unmotivated, going out for a walk helps me clear my mind and refocus my attention.
“Nature has always been a great leveller for me, bringing back a sense of clarity and calm.”
A recent study has found that activities such as walking, jogging, and strength training are better than anti-depressants for treating depression, prompting academics to suggest they should be a “core treatment” for the condition.
The study also found that when individuals already taking anti-depressants combined their medication with exercise, the effects of the anti-depressants improved.
You can read this in more detail here, British Medical Journal Editorial (14 Feb 2024) Exercise For The Treatment Of Depression
A gentle breeze can evoke feelings of peace, tranquillity and serenity. The sensation of a soft breeze against the skin can be incredibly soothing and calming, offering a moment of respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Why choose a walking therapy session?
Some clients express a goal of developing a healthy walking habit and see walking therapy as a great way to kick-start this. Other clients may find being in a room and sitting across from a therapist daunting and prefer to be in open spaces. Walking alongside each other and chatting as we go takes away that pressure, creating a more relaxed environment.
When you feel relaxed your mind can begin working on finding the answers to your specific problems and issues more easily.
The first session, which is the foundation session will always take place in the therapy room. During the foundation session, we discuss your therapy goals and whether walking therapy suits you. If it is, we will discuss the various options and agree on a starting route and goal. If we decide walking therapy is not suitable, we will discuss other available options.
There are several routes available, including Vicar Water in Clipstone and routes in Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe, and Clumber Park. Each session will last up to 1 hour and the walked distance covered will depend on the individual client. Each route has been planned and risk assessed.
