This week I was approached by a friend to join a panel discussion at the Kendal Mountain Festival to give my thoughts as a Walk and Talk Therapist. The subject? 'Mind over Mountains: The Healing Power of Nature for Mental Health'. As part of the panel, I was asked if I would talk about Grounding in Nature and how it can be especially useful for healing from trauma. So, I thought I would turn my thoughts into a blog…
To be grounded, at its most basic, is to connect with the ground beneath us—a simple yet quite profound relationship. Luckily, gravity does half the work for us, so that contact is already there - but the key lies in adding awareness to this connection.
I was thinking about this earlier in the week when I was out walking the dog. I really felt connected with my surroundings - noticing the last colours of Autumn whilst kicking the leaves on the ground - there was a combination of engaging in movement and with the senses. A couple of minutes later a large walking party came towards me. As they went by I noticed how disconnected they were from their surroundings. Yes, they were chatting, exercising and engaging in a community activity - but they weren’t engaged in nature. This small moment reminded me how easily we slip into autopilot, even in beautiful settings, and miss out on the healing power of the world around us. When we consciously engage with the Earth, we anchor ourselves in the present moment, and this provides a solid foundation for us to heal and grow.
Listening to the Body’s Messages
One thing that I notice when I am walking with clients is how they are standing and how their bodies are moving. Sometimes someone will stomp up a hill, head down; other times someone will move slowly, pausing to reflect. Our bodies are always communicating with us, though we often ignore their messages. When we don’t listen, this communication can build up and manifest as pain, tiredness, or even illness. Paying attention to our bodies can reveal where we’re holding stress, what brings us joy, or even what we might be avoiding, but when we aren’t present in our bodies it’s really difficult to be grounded.
So, for example, a slumped posture might reflect the weight that we feel from pressures in our life but it might also stem from a felt need to make ourselves small and shrink or hide. A smile or kind word, by contrast, can really lift our spirits and help us to stand taller again. Movement in nature, when combined with mindful awareness - really paying attention - can help us to tune into these signals.
The Layers of Nature’s Benefits
Seeing nature:
Studies have shown that observing fractal patterns in nature can calm the nervous system and even viewing natural scenes—through a window or in photographs—can reduce stress. So, if you’re stuck at your desk, even placing a small plant or photo of a natural scene nearby can have subtle calming effects. I have been amazed to read that patients recovered more quickly from surgery when they had views of nature from their windows. and that the positive impact on prisoners has also been studied.
Engaging with nature:
Immersing ourselves in nature through sensory experiences creates a deeper connection and can take us outside of our heads and away from racing thoughts - especially when we begin to see nature’s beauty in the smallest things. Last month I was in a woodland in Northumberland first thing in the morning. As the sunlight started to push through the mist I noticed the multitude of spider’s webs between the branches sparking with the dew. For me it was a true moment of awe.
Moving through nature:
Exercise in natural settings not only burns calories and can help to reduce blood pressure, but also reduces cortisol, the stress hormone, and improves mood. Being outdoors adds the grounding element of physical movement - you can literally feel the weather, hear the sounds of nature and see the wildlife around you Longstanding research from the University of Essex consistently confirms that ‘green exercise’ can be linked to a reduction in tension, confusion, anger and depression and increased energy in comparison to exercising indoors. Wellbeing activities which ground people in nature such as horticulture projects, community gardens and are widely recognised and are becoming more commonly prescribed by health professionals.
Why wouldn’t I work outdoors?
In my practice, I offer ‘Walk and Talk’ Therapy, combining the benefits of counselling with the restorative power of nature. Walking outdoors brings a dynamic element to therapy that sitting in a room often cannot:
Reconnecting with the body: Nature helps clients re-engage with their senses, their breath, and the present moment. This can feel more accessible when they’re immersed in their surroundings rather than seated indoors.
Engaging the senses: Outside, the sensory environment - whether it’s the rustle of leaves beneath your feet; the feel of a cool breeze on your skin or even the natural smells of the countryside - naturally grounds and calms the nervous system.
Movement aids emotional release: Walking encourages bilateral forward movement, which helps process difficult feelings like fear and anxiety. Movement also allows emotions to dissipate more quickly, making it easier for clients to touch on challenging topics without becoming stuck in them.
Grounding as reconnection
When we consciously engage with the Earth, we don’t just find calm—we rediscover ourselves. The act of grounding reminds us that healing often begins with the simplest of things: feeling the solid Earth beneath us; hearing the whispers of the wind or noticing the vibrant colours of autumn leaves.
Next time you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, take a moment to step outside. Place your feet firmly on the ground, close your eyes if it feels safe to do so, and take a deep breath. Feel the Earth supporting you, grounding you. Let this connection remind you of the joy and stability that comes from being fully present in your body and the world around you. If you’d like more a couple more ideas for grounding exercises, take a look here.
If you're interested in exploring how we could work together outdoors, click here.
If you would like to find out other ways that I could work with you or your organisation around the benefits of nature, click here.
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