Have you ever experience experienced that you thought starts to untangle when you go for a walk? May be you are unaware about it but there is something about moving your body in fresh air. Makes you the world feel lighter. People said that “They talk better when they walk”.
So, What Is Walk and Talk Therapy?
This is a natural outdoor therapy or you can say it is a part of eco-psychotherapy. There are some other types of this category such as wilderness therapy, adventure therapy, animal assisted psychotherapy, nature art therapy and gardening therapy. However, all these are the sisters of walk and talk therapy.
For Whom This Therapy Is for?
If you are someone’s who love be close to nature and enjoying the outdoor activities the walk and talk is best option for them. On the hand, if may be difficult to sit while trying to process emotions like in a conventional therapy session. Some peoples also want to seeks walk and talk therapy because they feel hesitate while sitting in front for therapist. Continuous stared by therapist and making eye contacts. Also if you come from a long sitting job where you sit at a desk all day. This therapy would provide you exercise and mental peace at the same frame.
The Start of Therapy
This therapy starts with the meeting of client and therapist at your decided location, on which you and your therapist previously agreed upon. It may be your favorite park, road or anywhere close to nature. Most probably during the first intake session. One more thing, your therapist asked you to maintain the pace of your walk. This therapy can treat your anxiety disorder, depressions, stress, life transformation or even anger.
Benefits of Walk and Talk Therapy
There are magical advantages of talking while moving. Some most reported and evident advantages are below:
It’s Naturally Reduces Anxiety
When human talk, their body release endorphins. These Chemical are responsible for mood-lifting that make you feel good. No matter it is a slow and steady walk it can definitely ease tension. You will feel that your anxious through will no more feel you heavy after a walking session. The movement is actually a physical exercise which become the part of healing.
It Feels Less Scary
As in conventional therapy, you are sitting across someone looking at eye to eye. This might feel you too intense, particularly when you are talking about your trauma. In walk and trauma, you are side by side with no pressure. Just two peoples walking together having a conversation and trying to solve your problems. There is something peaceful about looking in front rather than being watched by someone.
Nature Does Half the Work
Intelligence said that nature has its own kind of wisdom. When we walk outside, the sounds of leaves with smell of grass, the feeling of wind happens. All of these reminds us that life goes on a right track. Nature find us especially when we feel lost. Nature works like a silent co-therapist. One that does not talk but somehow understand us.
It Allows Your Thoughts Flow Freely
Those movements when you cannot find the correct word to express your emotions while sitting. Walking can fix that. Movement and exercises increase the blood flow of your body and you brain process emotional fasters. This is similar like your body suggest you mind to figure out thing. Many peoples claimed that they make sense of things during walk, which they uncle to explain in a room.
It is Healing for Both Body and Mind
There is no secret that exercises help with mental health. But such kinds of walking in not going to burn your calories. It is about connection. It is a very delicate mindful movement which gives your brain a pause from screes. Allow your body to breathe.
Is that Really Works?
This is a bus question that come in your mind. Right?
The answer is YES, It Does. But it maybe not in that way you’re expecting
Remember it is still a therapy not a miracle cure or your every problem. You have to be patience before thing getting correct with all the same depth and reflection. But only the sitting changes everything’s. Studies shows that walking can reduce symptom of anxiety and depression. Also spending time in nature helps to lower your stress hormones like cortisol. When you combine these with emotional support of therapy you get something amazingly powerful. You will feel like your mind get unlock and your problems are not seems as stuck. You might find themselves thinking more creatively or forgiving themselves more easily. Even quite feels softer when you are walking through trees instead of sitting in a chair.
Walk & Talk Vs Traditional Therapy
Most of the traditional therapy take place indoors. You sit with your therapist, maybe with a cup of coffee or may be with tears and talk. It is safe and private. The Walk and Talky therapy make sure all that such as your safety, respect your boundaries and keep maintain confidentiality. But it adds movement and nature. The main difference is energy. In a room energy can feels burden, especially when emotions are scattered. In nature the energy shift. You can pause, take a breaker and let your words with the winds. Moreover, walking side by side change the dynamic. There is no “Therapies vs client” emotional fighting. It is just two peoples walking together, literally quite.
In The End…
Walk and Talk therapy is not just a trend. It is a reminder that recalled that healing does not always need walls, chair and quit room. Sometimes, we all need is air, space and another human being who just keep listen to us when we take each steps. It is therapy that feels alive one that moves with you at your pace and on your path.
So whenever you are feeing stuck and do not want to sit in room. Just book you Walk and Talk therapy appointment with our licensed therapist.
