The Power of Movement: Reconnecting with Ourselves and Each Other Outdoors

As a health coach with Burnley West Primary Care Network’s Health and Wellbeing team, Mel shares her reflections on a recent conference and the power of movement below. Join her as she explores how movement can transform not only our health but our connection to the world around us.

“In a world increasingly dominated by screens, schedules, and sedentary lifestyles, movement has become more than just a physical act—it’s a radical return to the essence of being human. Nowhere is this more powerfully felt than in the outdoors, where movement transcends exercise and becomes a deeply restorative, even transformative, experience.

My colleague Ben and I recently had the privilege of attending the GM moving conference, which was dedicated to just that: encouraging movement for all, regardless of age, background, or ability. Set against a backdrop of open skies, the event was more than a meeting of minds—it was a celebration of bodies in motion and the freedom that comes with reconnecting with the outdoors.

Movement as Medicine

Science has long supported what many of us feel instinctively: movement is medicine. It boosts mood, sharpens thinking, and strengthens our hearts—both the physical and emotional kind. But movement outdoors does even more. It immerses us in nature’s rhythms, offering the kind of mental clarity that indoor environments rarely provide.

Speakers at the conference shared stories underscoring how outdoor movement improves cognitive health, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being. 

Accessibility and Equity in Movement

What set this conference apart was its focus on inclusivity. Movement, as many attendees emphasized, should not be a privilege. It should be accessible, joyful, and adaptable to all bodies and all abilities. Workshops addressed everything from designing inclusive public spaces to building community programmes that break down barriers—economic, cultural, and logistical—that keep people from moving freely.

Outdoor movement was highlighted as a great equalizer. A park doesn’t ask for a gym membership. A trail doesn’t care what you wear. Nature welcomes all, and with the right infrastructure and awareness, it can become the most accessible gym in the world.

Movement as Connection

Throughout the conference, one theme kept resurfacing: connection. Moving outdoors brings us back to ourselves, yes—but it also connects us to others. A walk becomes a conversation. A shared hike becomes a relationship. Whether through organized group activities or spontaneous play, movement fosters community in ways that are hard to replicate in more static environments.

This spirit of connection was felt at every level of the conference—from early morning swim sessions in the Quay to walking and coaching workshops. Attendees didn’t just talk about movement; we moved together, and in doing so, we built bonds that extended far beyond professional networking.

Looking Ahead: A Movement for Movement

As the conference closed, one message resonated clearly: movement is not a luxury—it’s a right, and a necessity. Encouraging movement for all, especially in the great outdoors, is not just about promoting physical health. It’s about creating a culture that values presence, participation, and possibility.

The power of movement lies not just in muscles stretched or miles walked, but in minds opened, barriers broken, and lives changed. And when that movement takes place under the sky, surrounded by trees, birdsong, and fresh air? That’s when we remember the most essential truth: we were made to move.”