Let's Take A Walk!
- suziread
- Jun 13, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 12, 2023
Reduce Stress, Enhance Cognitive Function and Build Creativity On a Walk in Nature...
Feeling on the verge of burnout? Lacking inspiration? Not enough hours in the day to take time out for yourself?
There are profound benefits to injecting some nature into your daily routine. Stepping away from our office, home office and urban settings and into nature can have such a positive impact on mental and physical well-being.
If you are thinking... because you went for a walk in the city on Monday to grab lunch instead of eating 'al-desko' - your wellbeing is 'ticked off' for the week... then this article is for you!
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished"
LAO TZU
Let's explore the impact of adding a walk in nature to your daily routine. We will also explore the transformative impact of integrating nature into your coaching sessions and the fascinating science behind all of this.
An fMRI based study from the Max Planck Institute found that where individuals engaged with natural outdoor environments vs urban environments:
Mental health outcomes improved across 98% of studies
Physical and cognitive health outcomes showed improvement across 83% and 75% of studies respectively.
The Therapeutic Benefits of Nature:
Nature has an innate ability to nurture and restore. Research shows that spending time in natural environments can reduce stress, enhance mood, and improve overall well-being.
Enhanced Cognitive Function and Creativity:
Nature's influence extends beyond psychological well-being—it also enhances cognitive function and creativity. Studies have demonstrated that spending time in nature boosts attention, working memory, and problem-solving abilities.
The Role of Nature in Stress Reduction and Brain Health:
In our fast-paced, technology-driven lives, chronic stress can take a toll on our mental and physical health. Nature can offer you a respite from your daily pressures. Walking in natural settings promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety, and lowers cortisol levels—the stress hormone. This reduction in stress not only improves well-being but also positively impacts brain health.
Connecting with Nature for Mindfulness and Presence:
Nature has a way of grounding us in the present moment, fostering mindfulness and a heightened sense of awareness. Walking in nature encourages you to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and sensations of the natural environment, allowing you to detach from distractions and embrace the present moment. This mindful connection with nature cultivates a sense of calm, clarity, and deepened self-understanding.
The Neuroscience of Nature-Based Coaching:
Neuroscientific research sheds some light on the profound effects of nature on our brain and well-being. By integrating nature into our daily routine, we can calm down our Amygdala and reduce disruptive emotions. Research shows that Amygdala activity decreases as the result of a one-hour walk in nature. Exposure to natural environments activates brain regions associated with relaxation, pleasure, and positive emotions. In addition to this, nature-based experiences stimulate the release of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin—neurochemicals that contribute to feelings of happiness, motivation, and well-being.
If just being in nature can bring about all these benefits, imagine the impact of spending that time with a trusted coach by your side.
Walking coaching sessions allow your mind to wander, activating your brain's network associated with introspection, self-reflection, and creative insights. This unique blend of movement, fresh air, and natural stimuli provides an optimal environment for unlocking new perspectives and generating innovative ideas.
Research by the Neuro-Leadership Institute shows that by: creating a series of emotional experiences that harness your attention; coupled with tools and techniques to build new perspectives and space to process in between; we can support neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to adapt and form new connections - contributing to improved cognitive function, memory, and emotional resilience.
To Sum it up!
The Sum approach is not about simply taking your coaching sessions outside but incorporating techniques to bring the natural world into your session. Taking inspiration from the natural world around you can help you to see challenges from a completely new perspective.
By immersing you in the beauty of natural surroundings and using integrated techniques from psychology, NLP, Vertical Development and neuroscience, Sum's walking coaching sessions engage your brain and body in a memorable, holistic coaching experience that fosters profound insights and lasting change.
You can decide to incorporate walking sessions into some or all of your Sum coaching journey.
Click the 'Get sum' button above to find out more or book a complimentary discovery session.
Relevant Studies:
1. Nejade RM, Grace D, Bowman LR. What is the impact of nature on human health? A scoping review of the literature. J Glob Health. 2022 Dec 16;12:04099. doi: 10.7189/jogh.12.04099. PMID: 36520498; PMCID: PMC9754067.
2. Sudimac, S., Sale, V. & Kühn, S. How nature nurtures: Amygdala activity decreases as the result of a one-hour walk in nature. Mol Psychiatry27, 4446–4452 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-022-01720-6
3. The Science of Making Learning Stick: An Update to the AGES Model, Josh Davis and M I Balda and David Rock and Paul McGinniss and Lila Davachi}, https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:74585701
Comments