Sitting and Mental Health
Most of us spend much of our day sitting - at work, in class, in the car, on the couch. The average adult spends between 6-9 hours sitting each day. There are many physical health issues associated with sitting and not getting enough movement.
What about the mental health risks related to a sedentary lifestyle? Sitting for long periods of time has been linked to an increase in anxiety and depression, reduced concentration and focus, lower energy levels, poor sleep quality, lower self-esteem, and the list goes on.
So what if you could support your mental health and get more movement? That’s where Walk and Talk Therapy comes in. This approach has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, boost mood and creativity, improve focus and concentration, and help clients feel more open, grounded, and connected during sessions.
Getting “Unstuck”
Think about those moments when you feel mentally STUCK. You are staring at a screen, unable to think clearly or move forward. Your mind just feels BLANK. What often helps? Getting up, and stepping away. Sometimes, it’s stepping outside, and moving your body. Movement and fresh air can reset your mind and help ideas flow again.
Now imagine pairing that with therapy. Picture walking side-by-side with a trusted professional who helps you process emotions, gain insight, and find new perspectives. It’s a simple yet powerful shift that can make talking about difficult things feel more natural and less intimidating.
Why It Works
Walking stimulates both sides of the brain, a process called bilateral movement, which can improve problem solving, creativity, and emotional regulation. Being outdoors enhances these effects. Exposure to green spaces, natural light, and fresh air calms the nervous system and improves focus.
No matter what your personal preferences are around nature and the outdoors, your brain intuitively responds to nature in a positive way. Seeing natural bodies of water or green space can trigger an immediate calming effect in your body. Pair that with other elements of nature that engage your senses like feeling the warmth of the sun or hearing waves crash, and the effects are even more pronounced. You may notice yourself thinking more clearly, feeling lighter, and connecting more deeply with your thoughts and emotions.
Combining Movement and Connection
Movement and nature already benefit our mental health, but adding meaningful conversation and connections amplifies the effects. Walking with a therapist can feel more relaxed than sitting face-to-face in an office. The rhythm of movement often helps people open up and explore their thoughts more freely. It helps explore those “stuck” thoughts and feelings and find new perspectives. It can also bring natural metaphors and insights, like noticing how taking one step at a time can mirror your own healing process.
Taking the First Step
Walk and Talk Therapy is not for everyone, and we’ll address things like confidentiality, weather, and comfort level before beginning. We’ll start with a few office or virtual sessions to establish goals and discuss logistics. My goal as a therapist is to make you feel as comfortable as possible and address any concerns you may have. The therapeutic relationship, whether a traditional in-office or this more holistic approach, is based on collaboration and trust. We will make a plan and work together to help you reach your goals.
If you are in the Redmond, Washington area and would like to give it a try, make an appointment with me. You may find that this simple act of pairing walking with therapy can help you move forward - literally and emotionally. If you want to learn more about a path towards healing and balance, take the first step by reaching out today.
We’re so glad to have Kristin Calvert at People Bloom Counseling, a Redmond psychotherapy practice in WA. She helps neurodivergent teens with executive functioning. She also supports educators and adults going through burnout. She loves being in nature and did a lot of her sessions while walking and talking as a school counselor. Barring atmospheric rivers, falling branches, and dark skies at 4:28pm, she’d be open to taking sessions outside if you are!