Walking Therapy for Teachers: Finding Balance Beyond the Classroom

John Burnett
Aug 5
2 min read

Updated: Sep 4

Teaching is a profession that carries immense responsibility, pressure and emotional weight. Between lesson planning, managing classrooms, meeting parents’ expectations and navigating ever-changing demands, it is no wonder that so many teachers experience stress, burnout, anxiety or even depression. While traditional counselling offers valuable support, many teachers are now turning to a different, more holistic approach such as retreats, joining teacher’s clubs or similar like-minded communities, mediation, yoga or even walking therapy.

At Stone in My Boot, we offer dedicated Walking Therapy Retreats for Teachers designed to combine the grounding rhythm of walking in nature with the therapeutic space of counselling. Our upcoming retreats run 22nd–24th August and 31st October–2nd November, both crafted to give teachers the reset they truly deserve. Set in the scenic landscape of Lake District with breathtaking views that are good for mind, body and soul.

Counselling and therapy for teachers and academics — Image sourced from Pinterest

Why Walking Therapy?

Walking therapy, also known as “walk-and-talk therapy,” blends counselling with the calming, restorative power of nature. Instead of sitting across from a therapist in a room, conversations happen outdoors, while walking side by side in nature. This shift in setting helps many people feel less pressured, more relaxed and more open.

For teachers especially, walking therapy can:

Ease stress and anxiety - Movement and fresh air reduce cortisol and calm the nervous system.
Break cycles of burnout - Being in nature creates a reset away from constant demands.
Support mental health - Walking and talking naturally open space for reflection, helping with depression, grief, or social anxiety.
Encourage perspective - The changing scenery mirrors the possibility of change and new things in daily life.

Walking therapy for professors and teachers — Image sourced from Pinterest

A Space Just for Teachers

Teaching often leaves little room for personal rest and reflection. Our teacher-focused retreats are about more than therapy, they are about community. Sharing the experience with other teachers creates a sense of belonging and understanding that is hard to find elsewhere, sometimes even in school hallways or staff rooms as everyone is rushing to get to their next lesson.

On our three day teacher’s exclusive walking therapy retreat you can expect:

Gentle guided walks in nature.
Space for one-to-one therapeutic conversations.
Tools to help you notice small moments of joy.
Time to reconnect with yourself outside the pressures of school life.

Visit our website to learn more about our walking therapy retreats and how the days are planned.

Walking therapy retreat UK for teachers — Image sourced from Pinterest

Everyday Joy as a Form of Healing

Counselling and therapy don’t erase the challenges of teaching, but they give you tools to manage them while still finding light in small daily joys. Whether it is a shared laugh in the staffroom, the calm of early morning tea or simply breathing deeply outdoors, these moments build resilience over time.

At Stone in My Boot, we believe that teachers who give so much to others deserve space to rest, reset and heal and walking therapy is one path toward that balance.