Pilot studies are being conducted on the feasibility and efficacy of psychotherapy sessions while walking. While it is currently being practiced, its outcomes have only recently gained research interest.

Walk Therapy: Assessing the Feasibility of Walking During Psychotherapy

Wang, C., Bannuru, R., Ramel, J., Kupelnick, B., Scott, T., &amp; Schmid, C. H. (2010). Tai Chi on psychological well-being: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-10-23 

Tai Chi on psychological well-being: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

It is a low-impact exercise that focuses on the mind-body connection. It originated from the East but has now become widespread, and many practice it in the West as a form of more interactive meditation.

Tai Chi

Pascoe, M. C., Thompson, D. R., &amp; Ski, C. F. (2020). Meditation and endocrine health and Wellbeing. Trends in Endocrinology &amp; Metabolism, 31(7), 469–477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2020.01.012 

Meditation and endocrine health and Wellbeing. 

Meditation has frequently been associated with improving mental health. It has been studied by researchers that changes related to the endocrine system after meditation are what improve mental health and stress. However, this link is still being studied even to this day. 

Meditation Improving Mental Health

Physical activity has positive effects on psychological health. Not only does exercise reduce risks of obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, and hypertension, but physical activity also has been proven to boost confidence and reduce anxiety and stress.

Physical Activity and Improved Mental Health

Psychedelics such as shrooms has been used throughout history to aid in meditational practices. Could further research on benefits of psychedelics further improve future mental health practices? 

Shrooms and Meditation

Massage is the manipulation of soft tissues, including muscle, connective tissues, ligaments, and skin using pressure, kneading, and rubbing via hands or other equipment. Licensed massage therapists are trained in proper technique and the different types of massage.

Massage Therapy

Examples of mind body interventions include:
- Massage Therapy
- Meditation
- Tai Chi
- Qi Gong
- Walking Therapy
- Yoga


Grand Valley State University

Mind-body interventions are health and fitness interventions that are intended to work on a physical and mental level such as Tai Chi, Qi Gong, meditation, and yoga.

Mind-Body Intervention

Koziel, N., Vigod, S., Price, J., Leung, J., & Hensel, J. (2021). Walking psychotherapy as a health promotion strategy to improve mental and physical health for patients and therapists: Clinical open-label feasibility trial. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 67(2), 153–155. https://doi.org/10.1177/07067437211039194

 Walking psychotherapy as a health promotion strategy to improve mental and physical health for patients and therapists: Clinical open-label feasibility trial

Mind-body interventions showed beneficial effects on the immune response to vaccination and markers of inflammation.

Mind-Body Interventions Enhance Covid-19-related Immunity

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an educational therapy program with the goal of teaching individuals both formal and informal/everyday mindfulness techniques to help reduce psychological distress.

Standard MBSR programs are 8-weeks in duration consisting of 26 hours with a 6-hour one day class (total of 32 hours). Participants are also expected to practice 45 minutes per day at home during the program.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

LKM is a quiet, contemplative, mind-training practice used to cultivate positive emotions, such as friendliness, warmth, caring, joy, and compassion. Various techniques are used to arouse feelings of loving-kindness, including visualizing oneself or the person smiling or being joyous, reflecting on the person's positive qualities, and using brief mental phrases, or mantras, to cultivate positive emotions.

Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM)

NTU (pronounced ‘‘in too’’) is a concept that originates from the Bantu people of Central Africa. The term NTU refers to the universal and unifying vital life force and spiritual essence at the core of all physical existence. Some techniques are meditation, prayer, nature study, role-playing, reframing, guided imagery, and the use of family drawings and genograms. 

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