**Jeff Brazier on the Restorative Power of Walking: How Nature Supports His Mental Wellbeing**
Television personality Jeff Brazier has spoken candidly about the crucial role that time spent outdoors plays in supporting his mental health, encouraging others to harness the therapeutic potential of nature. The well-known presenter, famed for his stints on *This Morning*, *The One Show*, and *Finders Keepers*, shared his insights into the positive impact of walking amidst greenery, describing it as a vital anchor in his personal wellness routine.
Brazier, 45, who is also a dedicated father, explained that taking purposeful walks in natural surroundings often lifts the emotional burden that can accumulate during life’s more trying moments. “Surrounding yourself with a beautiful space can seem to make worries dissipate, even if just for a while,” he reflected, suggesting that mindful time in nature can help clarify thoughts and pave the way for practical solutions.
Reflecting on his own journey, Brazier noted that challenges and lessons have shaped his outlook, but he has consistently returned to the comfort of the outdoors when seeking clarity. “I’ve always believed we usually hold the answers to our own struggles, but sometimes we need to change our environment to access them,” he noted. For him, an early morning walk around a local lake often ensures an improved mood and a fresh perspective to tackle the day ahead.
This realisation led Brazier to establish PRJCT WLKS in 2022, a community initiative designed to encourage others to join group walks supported by Turning Point Counselling Service. According to the presenter, these walk-and-talk sessions not only allow participants to immerse themselves in natural beauty but also foster meaningful connections between attendees. The events, he says, demonstrate the joy and positive energy that can be found when people gather in uplifting environments.
Most recently, Brazier took part in the BBC Two series *Pilgrimage*, where he journeyed across the dramatic landscapes of the Alpine region. Alongside a diverse group of celebrities, the trek culminated at the historic Einsiedeln Abbey. Brazier described the experience as fortuitously timed, given personal challenges he was facing in the lead-up, and valued the opportunity to both support and be supported by his fellow travellers. “On my local walks, I usually try to hold space for others. In the Alps, I found a group that could do the same for me,” he shared.
His affinity for the outdoors extends well beyond television projects. Brazier was recently invited to judge the Ramblers’ Britain’s Favourite Path 2025 competition, a role he embraces as an opportunity to discover new trails across the UK and encourage others to get out and explore. “It’s a chance for people to show me walks I might never have experienced, and for me to add new locations to my list,” he enthused.
This admiration for natural spaces can be traced back to his childhood. Brazier fondly recalled long walks through Berkshire forests while visiting his grandmother’s remote cottage, a stark contrast to his upbringing in urban Romford. “There wasn’t much beauty where I grew up, so being in the forest felt magical and safe,” he remembered.
Beyond walking, Brazier’s wellbeing toolkit also includes cold-water showers, meditation, and journaling. Starting his day with these practices, he says, helps centre him before the demands of daily life set in. He places particular emphasis on meditation—not as a means to stop thoughts, but as a way to watch them pass by without engaging, describing the practice as key to self-healing and letting go of past trauma.
In his own words, Brazier explains: “Meditation is about observing your thoughts and learning not to become entangled with them. By choosing to be still and self-reliant, I’ve found a great deal of healing.” He hopes more people will take small steps—be it a walk in fresh air or a moment of mindfulness—to prioritise their mental health.
Members of the public inspired by Brazier’s message have until 31 May to take part in the Ramblers’ Britain’s Favourite Path competition by submitting photographs and stories of their most beloved walks. As the nation continues to debate and develop approaches to mental health and wellbeing, advocates like Brazier are reminding us of the simple, restorative power found just beyond our front doors.