Walking for Mental Wellbeing: A Kinder Way to Connect
In this blog, Desiree Mackenzie, Solution Focused Hypnotherapist at Inspired to Change Bromley, explores why socialising and networking can feel exhausting, particularly when your stress bucket is already full. Desiree shares how creating a different environment, through Biggin Hill Walks, has made connecting with others feel more natural and enjoyable. She looks at the benefits of walking for mental wellbeing, how movement and nature support us, and why sometimes changing the way we connect makes all the difference.
Can Walking and Talking Make Socialising Feel Easier?
Let’s be honest: socialising and networking don’t come naturally to everyone. While some people thrive in loud, busy rooms, many of us find formal social events completely exhausting. That is exactly why I want to share the story behind our Biggin Hill Walks — and why changing the environment can make such a difference when it comes to connecting with others.
It also showcases our therapy model in action. When faced with a problem, I looked for a solution and took small baby steps until I found a way forward. Everything we do is a work in progress, but we have made wonderful progress in the right direction!
When Networking and Socialising Feel Like Hard Work
If you’ve ever found yourself standing in a crowded room, holding a lukewarm cup of coffee, trying to make polite small talk while your internal battery quickly drains to zero, you are not alone.
Whether it’s traditional business networking, a noisy social gathering, or even just standing at the school gates, formal socialising can often feel like hard work. As an introvert, a professional woman, and a busy mum of two, I know that feeling all too well.
For so long, I thought I was the problem and that I just needed to “get used to it.” But by using the tools I have now, I can socialise when I need to while setting healthy boundaries to protect my social battery at the same time — and the Inspired to Change team can support you to do the same.
There are still moments when the thought of intense eye contact, forced pitches, or intense small talk feels like complete sensory overload — I would honestly much rather watch paint dry! But at least now, I understand why.
What’s Going On in Our Brains
There is a fascinating way of understanding why traditional socialising can feel so draining, especially when we are already stressed.
Within the Solution Focused Hypnotherapy model, we describe this as the difference between our primitive mind, which is focused on threat and survival, and our Intellectual Mind, where we are better able to think calmly, creatively and rationally.
When stress levels are elevated, we can become more focused on potential threats and less able to access that calm, logical thinking. Intense eye contact, crowded rooms and the pressure to perform can all add to that sense of overwhelm. Instead of feeling relaxed and open, you might feel guarded, socially anxious, or simply desperate to escape back to the quiet of your car — you’d rather be anywhere except there!
To build real connections and feel truly at ease, we want to be able to access our logical Intellectual Mind — the part of our brain associated with calm, empathy and creativity. This is where Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help. By working with the way your brain naturally functions, SFH can help you manage anxiety, reduce the impact of stress and develop tools to respond differently when social situations feel overwhelming.
The secret isn’t forcing yourself to be more outgoing; it’s learning what you can do, what you enjoy, and what makes you feel good — and this could mean changing the environment entirely.
The Magic of Connecting on the Move
This is exactly why I created Biggin Hill Walks with local business owner and mum Rachel from Biggin Hill Nutrition. We wanted to offer an alternative to traditional, draining socialising: a safe, welcoming space designed for connecting on the move.
When you walk side-by-side with someone outdoors, the dynamic changes instantly:
Zero pressure eye contact: You don’t have that intense spotlight on you. You’re simply moving together, looking ahead at the path.
Natural flow: Pauses in conversation don’t feel awkward; they just feel like taking in the scenery.
Complete equality: Whether you’re a local business owner, a mum pushing a pram, or someone walking their dog, everyone is on the exact same footing.
It turns out that walking alongside another human being can be one of the most natural, low-pressure ways to create opportunities for authentic connection.
The Benefits of Walking for Mental Wellbeing
Walking for mental wellbeing combines movement with connection, and that pairing does more than either on its own.
Every daily demand drops right into our internal stress bucket. When it fills up, we can find ourselves living more from a place of stress and survival. Physical movement — like a gentle walk — can help us regulate stress, boost our happy hormones and support our overall wellbeing.
Spending time outdoors, being around green spaces, and connecting with other people can all contribute to a better sense of mood and wellbeing. Walking for mental wellbeing isn’t just about getting your steps in; you are creating space to step away from the demands of everyday life, lift your mood, and recharge your battery. Mind has more on how time in nature supports mental health.
We host these walks because we believe mental health and healthy habits belong right in the heart of our local community. You don’t need a special kit, you don’t need a polished elevator pitch, and you certainly don’t need to be in a “social” mood. You can come for a chat, a light giggle, or simply to walk in supportive silence alongside people who get it.
If your social battery feels drained, or if social anxiety is starting to get the better of you, please know that you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Asking for support is the first step, and help is closer than you think. Here at Inspired to Change, we are dedicated to helping you regain control and find your calm again. We have team therapists across the country who can help. And, if you aren’t local to Biggin Hill, my wonderful colleague Sammi (Inspired To Change Canvey Island) also hosts a community wellbeing walking group.
Everyone is welcome!
Find out more about our community wellbeing walks on our social media.
About the Author
Desiree Mackenzie is a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist at Inspired to Change Bromley, specialising in helping professional women and mothers navigate the invisible load that can lead to stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. Grounded in neuroscience and a future-focused approach, Desiree supports her clients to empty their stress buckets, quiet the inner critic, and reconnect with their logical Intellectual Mind.
A busy mum of two herself, she is passionate about helping women step off the hamster wheel of “busy”, reclaim their confidence and balance, and truly enjoy the lives they’ve worked so hard to build. Outside of her clinic, Desiree co-hosts community walk-and-talk initiatives like Biggin Hill Walks, providing inclusive, low-pressure spaces where people can clear their minds, connect on the move, and support their mental wellbeing in nature.
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