Yahoo!Life

Need to have a tough conversation? Take a walk.

Maybe you’re feeling anxious about discussing your spouse’s recent overspending, addressing your teenager’s slipping grades or letting a friend know that their actions hurt you. Major talks like these can be daunting, so you’re not alone if you’ve ever wished there was a way to make them less stressful.

Another perk of going on a walk: It allows people to engage with their environment — not just the conversation — while still staying in the present moment, Lisa Pion-Berlin, social worker and chief executive officer of Parents Anonymous, tells Yahoo Life. Taking a walk can provide “a simple, mindless and repetitive distraction from the discussion,” which makes people feel calmer and less stressed. Research shows that walking in nature can be particularly beneficial for our well-being, which can also help bring our nervous system into a relaxed state.