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Walk and Talk Groups: How can they help when you are grieving?

Writer's picture: Josie WoodJosie Wood

What are the benefits of a walk and talk group?


Grief can be overwhelming and exhausting. It can feel as though the world has shifted beneath your feet, leaving you unsteady and unsure of everything that previously seemed a regular part of your life. When you are experiencing loss, finding gentle ways to help yourself are so important. On of the ways to take care of yourself can be through coming along to a walk and talk group such as Walking Through Loss, which I run in the Yorkshire area.

I set the group up because I recognise what a relief it can feel to walk side by side with people who understand what you are going through. With the simplicity and peace of nature around you - you can release some of the tension you’ve been carrying. Your body finds a softer, deeper rhythm of breathing, your surging emotions settle, and your racing thoughts slow down. All of which are like quilt squares in a blanket of self care, that will settle around you and bring some comfort. So, I invite you to join us...and I've written this post to give you more information about what you might experience if you do.

Let’s have a closer look at the benefits of a walk and talk group


The Healing Power of Nature
Nature has a way of gently inviting us back into the present moment. The rustling of leaves, the warmth of sunlight filtering through trees, the scent of fresh air—these small details can soothe our mind and bring comfort to the soul. Grieving can feel like being lost in a fog, but nature brings us back to the present moment, that reminds us to breathe, to notice, to be…and from there, things can feel a bit clearer, less overwhelming and confusing.

When you walk in nature, you're surrounded by beauty that asks nothing of you. There's no pressure to explain your feelings or mask your emotions. Instead, you can simply be -allowing the sights and sounds around you to offer quiet companionship. In nature, you may find pockets of peace that help ease emotional tension, providing moments of relief from the heaviness of grief.

Companionship and Understanding
Grief can be an isolating experience. Friends and family may want to help but often struggle to find the right words or actions. In a walk and talk group, you are surrounded by people who understand the language of loss - people who have walked similar paths and can hold space for your grief.

Sometimes, it's not about the words shared but the presence of others who "get it." Walking alongside someone who understands can lighten the emotional load. Even in shared silence, there is comfort in knowing you are not alone. You don't have to explain your pain—it's understood. And in that shared understanding, there's a sense of belonging that can be profoundly healing.

Whether it's through quiet reflection or gentle conversation, being part of a group reminds you that you are not walking this path alone. There's comfort in knowing that others are beside you, taking their own steps toward healing.
 
Grief can also make us feel disconnected from the world around us. It can be hard to feel like you fit in when your heart is carrying such weight. But when you join a walk and talk group, you become part of a community—a group of individuals who understand the complexities of loss.

The Benefits of Movement
Grief impacts the body as much as the mind. It can leave you feeling sluggish, tense, and weighed down. Gentle movement, like walking, offers a way to release some of that physical tension. As you walk, your body produces endorphins - natural mood booster - while lowering the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Moving your body can also lift your spirits and ease feelings of depression and anxiety. Grief can make the simplest tasks feel daunting, but taking those first steps on a walk can bring a sense of accomplishment. Each step forward, no matter how small, is a step toward emotional relief.

A Gentle Release of Painful Emotions
Grief often brings with it a tangle of emotions—sadness, anger, confusion, and even guilt. These feelings can become trapped, leaving you feeling stuck. Walking provides a way to gently release some of that emotional tension.

As your body moves, emotions may begin to flow more freely. Tears may come, stories may surface, or silence may feel like the best expression in that moment. There's no right or wrong way to grieve during these walks. The act of moving forward, physically and emotionally, creates space for healing to unfold naturally.

Improved Sleep and Emotional Resilience
Grief often disrupts sleep patterns, bringing restless nights, difficulty falling asleep, or waking frequently. These sleep disturbances make it harder to recharge emotionally and physically, which can intensify the feelings of fatigue and overwhelm that accompany loss. Regular physical movement, such as walking, plays a vital role in improving sleep quality.
Walking helps regulate your body's internal clock, promoting a healthier sleep-wake cycle.

The rhythmic motion of walking, combined with exposure to natural light during daytime walks, supports your body's production of melatonin—the hormone that governs sleep. This gentle physical activity can make it easier to fall asleep and improve the depth and duration of your rest.

Better sleep brings emotional resilience. When you're well-rested, you may find it easier to manage the ups and downs of grief. Walking through nature with a supportive group can ease mental tension, calming the mind and body in ways that carry over into your nights. Over time, this improved rest can help you feel more grounded, balanced, and capable of navigating the emotional waves of loss.


Experience relaxed conversation while walking together in a park
Experience relaxed conversation while walking together in a park
Routine and a Sense of Control
Loss often brings chaos and a sense that life is out of control, leaving you feeling helpless. Life as you knew it has changed, and it's hard to know where to begin again. A walk and talk group offers a gentle routine - a regular practice that can create a sense of stability and control amidst the uncertainty.

Whether you walk with a group or on your own, establishing a walking routine can provide a small anchor in your day. It offers a reason to get up, to step outside, and to engage with the world. Or you might prefer some other form of exercise to bring you these benefits. You might find that yoga, or another form of movement suits you - as a way of you can regain command of your life.

Shared Space for Reflection
Grief is a deeply personal experience, but it can also be shared. Walking with others creates a space where you can reflect on your memories, share your stories, or simply hold them quietly within.

In a walk and talk group, there's no expectation to speak - only an invitation. If you choose to share, you'll find compassionate and understanding listeners. And if you prefer silence, that's equally respected. The walk is your time, your space to process in whatever way feels right.

Strength in Connection
Grief can make us feel fragile, as if we're carrying a weight too heavy to bear. But there's strength in companionship. Walking side by side with people who carry their own stories of loss reminds you that resilience exists within you, too.

As you take steps forward together, there's a shared understanding that healing isn't about erasing the pain - it's about finding ways to carry it more gently. The Walking Through Loss group doesn't aim to take away your grief. It can't. But it can offer a supportive, compassionate space to walk through it with others who empathise and understand.

Last Thoughts
Grief changes us. It reshapes our lives, how we feel about ourselves and how we function in the world. As we are remoulded by the impact of losing someone we love - it’s important to be gentle with ourselves, to accept support, to be receptive to healing and to lean into all the help that is available.

A walk and talk group, such as Walking Through Loss provides one way of leaning into that support. A gentle experience, offering a way to find your feet again. Each step can bring peace, connection, and a sense of belonging as we walk through loss together.

If you'd like to know more about how I could support you through grief and loss you can book a free meeting with me here.


You'll find out how to join plus dates and locations for future walks.

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