Walking for mental health began as a way for a California mom to cope—and quickly turned into a worldwide movement.
Jamie O’Neal started taking daily walks to deal with postpartum depression, not knowing her journey would inspire others around the globe.
She was already living with anxiety and depression after a serious brain injury from a 2019 car crash. She was going through a divorce at the time.
But through it all, walking became her way to process emotions and begin healing.
“There were so many life changes, from [my] relationship, to motherhood, to [my] career. I was in a place where I was not on stable ground,” Jamie told Newsweek.
Following her midwife’s advice to walk daily for her mental health, Jamie started taking walks on her own to clear her mind.
But as time went on, she noticed she wasn’t alone in her struggles—many other moms were also quietly dealing with emotional challenges.
Wanting to create a space for connection, she invited a few friends to join her. That small step soon led to a bigger idea: she posted a video on TikTok, inviting local moms to walk with her.
Jamie shared that two moms showed up for that first walk, and their conversation shifted everything.
At that moment, she felt a strong calling to support other moms, believing it was time to serve and build a community.
What began as Jamie’s personal journey of walking for mental health turned into a fast-growing movement.
In August 2022, she launched The Mom Walk Collective, starting with group walks in 30 cities to help moms connect and support each other.
With volunteers leading free meetups twice a month, the idea quickly took off.
Today, The Mom Walk Collective has expanded to over 350 cities worldwide.
Jamie highlighted its success in a viral Instagram reel that reached nearly 2 million views, showing how powerful the message of community and healing through walking has become.
The impact of The Mom Walk Collective has been profound for many moms.
One mom shared that she found her best friend through the group and now helps lead walks in her community.
Others praised the concept as “amazing,” with a therapist calling it the support all moms need.
For new moms seeking connection, Jamie emphasized that the group offers a safe space where they can receive a kind word or a comforting hug.
In fact, The Mom Walk Collective has been a healing journey for its members and Jamie herself.
“The more I serve moms, the more my heart and mental health heal,” Jamie said. “It constantly reminds me that I am not alone, that there are women all over the world that can understand me and I can do this.”
Walking for mental health
Walking for mental health is a simple yet effective way to improve physical and mental well-being, according to Nuffield.
As we walk, our bodies release endorphins, which help lift our mood and reduce stress hormones like cortisol, making it easier to relax.
The benefits of walking are amplified outdoors, with exposure to natural light boosting our spirits and increasing vitamin D levels.
This sense of accomplishment from walking also contributes to improved self-esteem and confidence.
Research shows walking can reduce anxiety and depression by promoting a calm state of mind and giving individuals a sense of control over their health.
While walking in nature offers a soothing effect, it does not replace other treatments. Still, it can complement them in managing mental health.
One of the best aspects of walking is that there’s no pressure on how much or how fast to walk—it’s about finding what feels good.
The key is consistency, whether walking for a few minutes or longer and making it a regular part of your routine.
Walking is a low-impact, accessible exercise that strengthens both the body and mind and can be done almost anywhere.
For those just starting, it’s important to remember that any movement is progress. Even a short walk around the garden is a step forward.
Setting small, achievable goals can help build confidence and serve as a foundation for overall health and well-being.
Here’s Jamie sharing how her simple routine of walking for mental health becomes a movement for moms struggling with postpartum:
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