We appreciate that taking coaching outdoors is unorthodox for some. For this reason, we’ve collated some examples of what the research says in terms of behavioural science, although the best evidence is of course personal experience:
‘The 2001 UK National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS)¹ found that 86.9% of our total time was spent indoors. A more recent UK YouGov report (2014) found that people think they spend about 66% of their time indoors, suggesting a significant under-estimation'
On a practical level, we also find the breakdown below helps illustrate how the various tailored experiences draw on the same proven principles to deliver results:
Side-by-side – walking or sitting alongside the coach is a unique aspect of outdoor coaching that differs to indoor coaching, where most conversations happen sat opposite each other. It gives the coachee the sense of being less scrutinised, less judged, more relaxed and builds a connection with the coach. Literally and metaphorically going on the journey together.
Movement and pace – being outdoors allows the coachee to play with movement and pace, to let it reflect their mood and express their emotions. Meandering, stomping, walking quickly, standing, or sitting still, walking back over the same spot – all these ways of moving or being still give the coachee a mechanism to give their brain time to think.
Outdoor vs indoor – coachees drawn to outdoor coaching appear to feel constrained, trapped and confined when indoors. Being outdoors helps them to feel free, open, calm, relaxed or energised. They also experience awe, metaphor, and analogy when outdoors in a way they are not able to indoors.
Different experiences and ways of thinking – being outdoors brings different experiences, different perspective and different ways of thinking. It is always changing, and with that change brings new analogies and new metaphors to experience and explore.
Openness, space, and expanse – walking alongside a coach enables the coachee to experience the openness and expanse of the natural space in front of them. This leads to freedom of thought, a limitlessness, timelessness, and removal of mental and physical boundaries.
Nature connectedness – the weather, animals and nature all impact outdoor coaching sessions, bringing benefits to mental and physical wellbeing. Some coachees feel a close connection to certain animals, some to certain trees or plants. Some experience the restorative qualities of green spaces, others of blue spaces. Engaging physically with nature during an outdoor coaching session, such as touching a tree bark or leaf, or using a stick to draw in the dirt, enables coachees to creatively engage with nature and use metaphor and analogy.
Senses, feelings, and emotions – outdoor coaching engages all the senses (even taste), which are uniquely experienced due to the outdoor setting. Using all the senses in often new and different ways helps coachees with sense-making and can lead to them feeling more grounded and anchored.
The benefits of taking coaching conversations outdoors – what the research says – Alex Burn 2020
"Two things come to mind when we think of walking and outdoors: both are immensely beneficial for our physical and mental health and wellbeing.’
‘We know that green/blue outdoor spaces have great potential to support both physical and mental recovery and healing, and this is typically why rehabilitation hospitals were often built in the countryside. Studies show that green spaces promote mental wellbeing and increase quality of life for people with mental health needs. The recommendation is that everyone completes a minimum of 120 minutes a week out in nature to maximise their wellbeing."
Dr Jitka Vseteckova Faculty Head of Health and Social Care Open University
"There’s something hugely freeing about being in open space and some people go deeper far sooner than they would do in a room. The part of the brain that is responsible for ruminative and negative thoughts – the subgenual prefrontal cortex – has been shown to quieten when we connect with nature, which gives people more space to process their problems."
‘"f you’ve ever taken a long walk with a close friend and talked about difficult personal problems, you get the gist of “walk and talk” therapy."
Beth Collier- Psychotherapist and founder of the Nature Therapy School
"Some people may become anxious when confronting something difficult in a traditional seated, face-to-face interaction"..."Walking in parallel with visual distractions may allow for easier engagement."
Assad Abderemane - 'Walk & Talk' might be the future of therapy
"It is not hard to see why coaching is on the rise and how it can contribute to supporting today’s leaders as they navigate their way through. It’s also not difficult to understand why the main objection to coaching outdoors is the perceived time commitment involved. In fact, it is the only organisational objection I (and other coaches I’ve spoken to) have ever come up against (there have been other personal reasons for clients not wanting to be coached outdoors but not corporate reasons). There has been the objection of ‘I need to be in the office’ but when lightly explored, this is not true for all day, every day, so there has been some flex."
Exercise is good for the body and the mind - Suzanne Wright (2008)
"When I first began offering coaching outdoors to my clients and organisations, I expected some resistance around it being a bit ‘tree-huggy’ or concern over weather or physical capability, but these have not come up once, neither has psychological safety."
Organisational benefits of outdoor coaching – Lesley Roberts of Founder Coaching Outdoors
"Finally, not only has Covid-19 re-connected people with nature, UK government advice of daily exercise in the fresh air has gone a long way to making being outside the norm and increasing the nations awareness of the physical and mental benefits from being outdoors. There has never been a better time to suggest that your coaching sessions take place outside, the door is most definitely open!"