Emily Mailey, Ph.D.

School of Health Sciences

Emily Mailey, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the School of Health Sciences at Kansas State University. Her research focuses on promoting physical activity in a variety of populations through implementing interventions in real-world settings. She also teaches in the undergraduate and graduate kinesiology and public health programs at K-State, where she aims to equip future health professionals with the knowledge and skills to help their future patients engage in healthy behaviors.

Mailey's recent research is examining approaches for integrating outdoor physical activity into mental health care, such as training mental health providers to discuss and recommend outdoor physical activity with their clients, implementing a nature-based physical activity therapy group at the university counseling center and working with therapists to deliver walk-and-talk therapy and assess its impact on depression and anxiety. This research is adding to the evidence base regarding the restorative power of movement and time in nature, as well as exploring pathways for disseminating effective interventions to have a broader impact on mental health in individuals and communities.

Presentation Information

Let's Go Outside! Prioritizing Nature-Based Physical Activity for Mental Health and Wellness

Most of us know that being physically active and spending time in nature are good
for our physical and mental health, but we often face challenges that get in the way of prioritizing these behaviors in our daily lives. This presentation will discuss the mental health benefits of nature-based physical activity and share examples of ways our research team has been integrating physical activity and time outdoors into mental health care for a variety of populations. We also will share practical strategies attendees can use to incorporate purposeful movement and time in nature into their lives to capitalize on the powerful mental health benefits of these person-environment interactions.