Spring is synonymous with renewal, offering a chance to shed the heaviness of winter and embrace a fresh perspective. As the days grow longer and brighter, flowers bloom and trees regain their healthy green leaves, nature inspires us to embrace growth and renewal in our own lives.
This week, we welcome guest writers John Burnett and Tony Waddington to explore the wide-ranging benefits of walking and connecting with nature for your mental health.
Step into Spring
Whether you are looking to enhance your creativity, boost your self-confidence, heal from incidents rarely talked about, improve your overall mental health, or simply de-stress and reboot, connecting to nature is a great way to achieve this.
By stepping outside and immersing yourself in the season’s refreshing energy, you take literal steps towards nourishing your mind, body and soul. Spring is also known as a season of transformation, so it is an ideal time to consider what this means to you on a personal and professional level.
While we all know stepping outside and walking in nature has great benefits to your overall wellbeing, these walking benefits are amplified when it is carried out in a group setting, where there is more scope for building relationships and fostering real connections offline.
The benefits of walking in nature
Walking in nature with others brings about a multitude of benefits, such as:
1) Deepened Connections
Whether it is marveling at a breathtaking sunrise, hiking through a scenic terrain or simply enjoying the rustling of leaves in a woodland walk, sharing these moments with a community deepens the connection to both nature and your companions. This also allows us to strengthen relationships (both new and old) in a natural, relaxed environment.
2) Balancing Socialising and Mindfulness
If you are a business owner or a freelancer (who works remotely or spends the majority of your time working on your own), or even if you are employed but on a remote/hybrid working model, the need for like-minded human connection is imperative. While we often take time to socialise with friends and family and unwind during our downtime, it may not always offer the mindfulness we seek. Yet combining socialising and walking is a great way to improve your physical and mental health; there is something particularly refreshing about experiencing the beauty of nature with others.
3) Creative Collaborations
Walking in a group setting can lead to creating opportunities (professional and personal) through interactions and brings in a sense of belonging through shared stories and experiences. Sharing these activities with peers can also lead to spontaneous idea-sharing and productive discussions in an inspiring setting.
4) Out of Office Networking
Walking side by side can create a more equal, informal and relaxed environment compared to traditional office settings. By breaking down hierarchical barriers this fosters open, genuine conversations, encouraging mutual understanding and collaboration in a more effortless way. Furthermore, unlike formal networking events, walking in nature - or “Netwalking” as many people refer to nowadays - eliminates the need for elevator pitches or rehearsed speeches. Instead, the focus is on natural, meaningful conversations that organically lead to connections and opportunities.
Embrace nature alongside others
Walking with others offers a unique way to improve both physical and mental health. This Spring, experience the serenity and mindfulness that comes from embracing nature alongside others. It is a mindful alternative to many things, from traditional socialising, to talking therapy and outdoor exercising.
So, lace up your walking shoes, find your tribe and step into nature together. The path to healing and wellness is even more rewarding when shared.
John Burnett and Tony Waddington are BACP-registered therapeutic counsellors and the founders of Stone In My Boot. They work one-to-one, either online or in person, and organise walking weekends and mid-week programmes combined with therapy, set in the stunning scenery of The Lake District in the UK.