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Writer's pictureStephen

The Healing Power of Nature

Updated: Jul 1

Imagine having your therapy session whilst taking a walk through the woods or along the riverside. It’s like a double dose of mental health benefits!


Have you ever noticed how a walk outdoors in nature or spending time in a park or garden can make you feel an awful lot better? It’s not just a coincidence - there’s solid science behind why being out in nature can boost your mental and your physical health and when combined with therapy it can have amplify the benefits even further.


Physical health benefits

Walking is a great form of exercise which triggers the release of endorphins - the body’s natural chemicals which elevate your mood. Walk and talk therapy encourages movement, which can stimulate blood circulation to the brain and help you to think more clearly. This can be really helpful when you’re trying to sort through complicated thoughts or emotions during therapy.


Natural stress reduction

Green spaces have been shown to reduce cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. We all need a dose of cortisol at times, but when we’re constantly in a state of stress and our bodies don’t get the chance to rest this can lead to all sorts of physical and mental problems. Walking in nature can help lower stress levels and promote relaxation - elevating our mood, increasing feelings of happiness and boosting self-confidence. Exposure to sunlight (even on a cloudy day) helps to regulate sleep and increase levels of Vitamin D, which in turn can increase your mood.


Engaging all your senses

When you’re out in nature it can be easier to engage with everything that is happening in the moment - noticing the changing seasons; the sounds around you; the textures and smells; the taste of the air. Being mindfully present can not only boost your mood, but can help you to focus on what is happening now rather than getting stuck in the past.


A more creative approach

Have you ever noticed how some of your best ideas come when you’re on the move? Movement can stimulate creative thinking and improve your problem-solving abilities. When you’re walking you may find yourself seeing problems from new angles or coming up with creative solutions that you might not have considered whilst sitting still.


Building a stronger bond

Walk and talk therapy can allow you to connect with your therapist in a more natural, less stressful setting. Walking side-by side can create a more informal and equal relationship between therapist and client as opposed to the face-to-face situation in a room. This less formal environment can help to build trust and rapport through shared experiences in the moment and might make it easier to open up and explore your thoughts and feelings - and go a little deeper.



A new perspective

The vastness of nature and the way that ecosystems interconnect can remind us of quite how complex life can be and how everything is connected. This can help us to come to new realisations and change in perspective that can be really beneficial in therapy.


Flexible and accessible

You don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to take part in outdoor therapy. The therapy can be adapted to different natural environments. It can happen in a park; by the water (a river, lake or the sea); amongst trees (in the woods or a forest); or on a hillside. It can be adapted for different physical abilities or preferences - making nature-based therapy accessible in a straightforward, low-pressure way that suits you.


Another level of benefits

Studies have shown that being connected to the natural world during therapy sessions can lead to better outcomes when you’re dealing with challenges. It can improve self-esteem; increase self-awareness and enhance your overall well-being. The combination of nature and therapy creates a holistic approach to healing that addresses both the mind and the body.


If you want to find out more about how nature-based therapy could work for you, please get in touch. You can click below to book a free 30 minute discovery call





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