In May we celebrate mental health awareness week and this year’s theme is ‘Every action counts for better mental health’. What better way to take action this week than to walk (on your own, with family, friends, or even your dog!). If you can’t physically walk perhaps you can enjoy time outside sitting somewhere calm and do some gentle movements of your arms, hands, upper body. If you’d like to learn more about helping your central nervous system regulate more effectively, take a look at Deb Dana’s work – click on this useful YouTube video https://youtu.be/OQJbmclwkfc?si=qN-9pF5S5EAMOt6z
In addition to being a trauma psychotherapist, I love spending time with my own St Bernards and being Chair/Trustee of Saving Saints Rescue UK. It can be difficult to prioritise time for myself this is a challenge that so many of us face. This week I have chosen to video myself doing a walk in Norfolk on a trip to visit the seals and to see friends who live in this beautiful county.
Many studies show that being physically active is not only good for our body but also our mental health. Sadly people with mental illness will die on average 20 years earlier than the general population. This isn’t just about suicidal deaths due to depression but also people with mental illness are more likely to develop conditions like bowel and breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease linked to obesity and lack of exercise. Due to depression and anxiety they often struggle to maintain healthy lifestyle changes and access regular medical monitoring. Research shows that 56% of people found that exercising regularly helped reduce stress. A 2019 study by Professor Carrie Westgarth of University of Liverpool revealed that 64% of dog owners in the UK reported that they walk with their dogs for at least 150 minutes per week. Dr Westgarth said “Our findings provide support for the role of pet dogs in promoting and maintaining positive health behaviours such as walking. Without dogs, it is likely that population physical activity levels would be much lower”.
I combine psychotherapy models such as EMDR and CBT with walk and talk therapy and many clients find this is less intensive than a traditional healthcare setting, sitting opposite someone. Many younger clients have commented that being outside helps them feel less anxious. The movement of the body when walking can also reduce the intensity of distress a client may feel due to movement having a positive impact on the central nervous system. The type of movement we generate in walking has been proven to stimulate the connection between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This supports emotional processing and is similar to the left-right eye movements we offer in traditional EMDR therapy. We also offer the option of clients bringing their own dog into therapy or sharing the session with one of Rachel’s pat dogs, Dotty or Willow.
If you would like to talk about the benefits of having a canine companion in your workplace, care setting or at an event please contact Rachel via savingsaintsrescueuk@outlook.com. If you are interested in walk and talk or pat dog therapy, contact Rachel on tel: 07759 516241 or email: wellnessconsultancy@outlook.com.
Further information:
Deb Dana – The Rhythm of Regulation https://www.rhythmofregulation.com/
https://youtu.be/OQJbmclwkfc?si=qN-9pF5S5EAMOt6z
https://mentalhealth–uk.org/mental–health–awareness–week/
My personal experiences of Walking EMDR Therapy – EMDR Therapy Quarterly
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31000795/