Walk it Out

I have mentioned before that mediators have a "toolbox" of ways to help resolve conflict. Today's idea does not seem like one that will work in a mediation session but might be a practical idea for life outside the mediator's office.

David G. Myers reports in his new book, How Do We Know Ourselves?: Curiosities and Marvels of the Human Mind, about a study that suggests "walking together can facilitate both the intra- and interpersonal pathways to conflict resolution." 

This study by Christine Webb, Maya Rossignac-Milon and E. Tory Higgins showed that the benefits of walking to resolve conflict include:

Walking reduces stress;

Walking boosts mood;

Walking increases creativity;

Walking takes away the face-to-face element of the conversation allowing for a softened boundary between people and a chance for more comfortable self-disclosure;

Walking is the very embodiment of forward movement, something that you need when you are stuck in conflict.

So next time you are in an argument with your partner, parent or child, consider going for a walk with them. I can see co-parents doing this very naturally at their child's sporting event when they take a walk to discuss an important issue. How else could you use this idea to help bring peace to your family?