Navigating the Shadows
Walk.Talk.Breathe.
Walk.Talk.Breathe.

Navigating the Shadows

the healing power of dark walking for mental health

When we think of good mental health, we often think of lightness and brightness and connect this to positivity and wellness. We can fail to consider the beauty of the darkness and fully embrace the joy and healing potential of being outside, in the dark.

Dark walking – simply taking a walk in the absence of natural or artificial light, is something that I have done for as long as I can remember to beat the blues and to clear my mind when it’s knotted up with stress and worries. Walking in the dark has a profound and beneficial impact on my mental and physical health.

As we step into the dark winter season it’s a great time to take advantage of the long nights and slow, dark mornings as they invite us to slow down and go within.

Dark walking is not an aimless walk in the dark, it provides a unique opportunity for introspection, encouraging you to delve into your thoughts, reflect on your emotions, and gain insights that may be hard to reach during the hustle and bustle of the daylight hours.

Whether beneath a canopy of trees or on a moonlit path, the idea is to engage with the darkness as a source of solace and introspection. The absence of visual stimuli, especially light from the sensory overload of phones, laptops, screens, and other artificial light sources in the home and outside allows us to engage and amplify other senses. This gives us a heightened connection to both our internal landscape and with the external environment around us, whilst accessing our ‘quiet mind’.

Dark walking enables a deep connection with nature in its quieter, nocturnal state. Imagine what walking amidst the rustling leaves, hooting of owls, vast sky and gentle caress of the night breeze would feel like.

Exposure to natural darkness helps to regulate circadian rhythms, potentially improving sleep quality and overall sleep patterns. This may be especially useful for people of all ages who are overstimulated in artificially lit environments during the day.

Engaging The Power Of Darkness:

1. Overcoming Fear and Anxiety: For some, the idea of walking in the dark may evoke fear. By confronting and gradually overcoming this fear, individuals can build resilience and develop coping mechanisms for managing anxiety in other areas of life.

2. Choose Safe Environments: Opt for familiar and safe locations for your dark walks, such as well-lit parks or quiet residential areas. Ensure you are visible to others and carry a small flashlight for added safety.

3. Start Slowly: If you are new to dark walking, start with short durations and gradually increase the time as you become more comfortable. This gradual exposure can help mitigate anxiety associated with darkness.

4. Embrace the Silence: Allow yourself to fully experience the silence of the night. Turn off electronic devices, and let your mind attune to the sounds of nature and the city at rest.

At Walk.Talk.Breathe we especially like to harness the dawn and the dusk in our walking therapy sessions as an introduction to dark walking therapy.

In January and February, I have spaces for four clients on the 10 weeks Walk Talk Breathe package which will run early morning at dawn or early evening at sundown.

Client feedback:

“Being in the dark, and the cold, but wrapped up warm, first felt scary and intimidating, as though I couldn’t feel anything more than a few feet in front of me. After around fifteen minutes, my other senses kicked into action and I could feel the world around me in the dark and quiet, it gave me time to feel the peace and to think through my life”

“I feel like I have washed out my troubles”

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