Losing a loved one affects every aspect of life – emotionally, physically, socially, financially and spiritually. Many describe grief as lethargy, fatigue, disrupted sleep, and changes in physical well-being. When you’re grieving, it’s important to find ways to look after yourself.
We spoke to Jo Wilson, our Family and Bereavement Team Lead about how walking can help with the grieving process. A blog for bereaved parents on this topic will be available shortly on our Bereavement support webpage.
1. Walking is accessible
- Walking is an accessible activity that doesn’t require special equipment or costly memberships. It’s an option for many people.
- How we grieve is influenced by our culture, faith, spirituality, available resources, and how we make sense of living and dying. We are all unique. Being in nature allows us to connect with the uniqueness of our natural environments and the species living in them. Many people who are grieving find comfort in symbolic moments in nature, such as seeing rainbows, robins, or butterflies.
- There is no right or wrong way to grieve. It’s a journey that changes over time and doesn’t just suddenly stop. Walking allows space for thoughts and emotions to flow without the pressure of trying to ‘fix’ or ‘solve’ grief.
2. Walking for health
- Even 11 minutes of walking a day can lower the risk of heart disease and improve overall health (British Heart Foundation).
- Walking strengthens our bones, improves our mood, helps us sleep, keeps us mentally sharp and can strengthen our immune system.
- Exposure to natural daylight increases vitamin D levels, which helps regulate mood and energy.
- Studies show that walking in green spaces reduces stress and enhances self-esteem (Barton & Pretty, 2010).
3. Walking as Pilgrimage
- Many cultures and traditions recognise walking as a symbolic journey of healing and remembrance.
- Whether a short, gentle walk or a long-distance challenge, walking can serve as a meaningful way to honour a loved one.
- Walking can be a deeply personal act, but it can also connect individuals with others who share similar experiences.
4. Walking to raise awareness and socially connect
- Grief can feel incredibly isolating, but walking in a group, for example an in-memory walk creates a sense of community.
- Authors like Julia Bradbury – and Laurence Carter have written about how walking helped them process their personal grief and reconnect with the world.
- Research shows that supportive communities help bereaved parents feel seen, heard, and connected (Venema, 2022).
Join us for The Butterfly Bimble Walk
The Butterfly Bimble is a gentle, reflective in-memory walk designed to bring people together in remembrance of lost loved ones. Whether you join to connect with nature, meet other families or find a quiet moment to reflect, we welcome you to join our in-memory walk. The walk takes place at Harcourt Arboretum on Saturday 5th April, a beautiful setting to honour and remember those we have lost.
Accessibility
There are paths throughout the arboretum, but some may be challenging for wheelchair users, pushchairs, or individuals with mobility impairments. While none of the paths have steps, some feature steep slopes and uneven surfaces. It’s free to sign up and requires no fundraising target.
Sources
Barton, Jo and Pretty, Jules (2010) What is the Best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-Study Analysis. Environmental Science & Technology, 44 (10). pp. 3947-3955. DOI https://doi.org/10.1021/es903183r
Brown, Daniel K, Barton, Jo L and Gladwell, Valerie F (2013) Viewing Nature Scenes Positively Affects Recovery of Autonomic Function Following Acute-Mental Stress. Environmental Science & Technology, 47 (11). pp. 5562-5569. DOI https://doi.org/10.1021/es305019p
Venema, M., Klassen, D., Kwee, J., and Rossen, L. (2023). Grieving in community: accompanying bereaved parents. J Community Psychology. 51:2246-2260 https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.23025