Mental Wellbeing Walks for Expats in Leiden | Weekly Meetups

Boost your Mental Health while Connecting with Fellow Internationals

Are you an international living in the Netherlands feeling:

• Stressed by the challenges of living abroad?
• Overwhelmed by cultural adjustment?
• Longing for meaningful connections?
• Unsure how to maintain your mental wellbeing?

You're not alone.
Join our weekly Mental Wellbeing Walks and discover a supportive community right here in Leiden.

Register Now for Our Next Walk

You are not alone. Mental WellBeing Walks in Leiden

Our Unique Expat Wellbeing Program in Leiden

• Guided walks through the beautiful city of Leiden
• Structured activities focused on mental wellbeing
• A safe space to reflect and share with like-minded expats
• Light exercise to boost your mood and energy

Weekly Mental Health Topics for Expats

• Mindfulness techniques
• Emotional regulation strategies
• Coping with uncertainty
• Building resilience
• Dealing with stress 
• Combating loneliness

Boost Your Mental Wellbeing in Leiden

Your Leiden Expat Wellbeing Experience

• Professional guidance from licensed psychologists
• A welcoming, non-judgmental environment
• Practical tools to enhance your mental wellbeing
• New friendships and a sense of belonging

Beyond Therapy: Holistic Expat Mental Wellbeing

​While we don't offer any form of consultation with our psychologists during these walks, we provide something uniquely valuable: a structured, supportive environment where you can reflect, share, and grow alongside others who understand your journey.

Transforming Your Expat Life in Leiden

The Change You'll See:

• Increased emotional awareness
• Improved stress management skills
• A stronger sense of community
• Enhanced overall mental wellbeing
• A deeper connection to your new home in the Netherlands

Join us every week and take a step towards a happier, healthier expat life in Leiden.​

Register Now for Our Next Walk

Practicalities

📅 When: Every Thursday, 20.00
📍 Where: Leiden [location TBA] 
⏳ Duration: Approximately 1 hour
What to Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water bottle
• Weather-appropriate clothing

Discover Leiden While Boosting Your Wellbeing

​Explore the charming canals, historic architecture, and green spaces of Leiden during our walks. From the botanical gardens to the windmills, each session offers a new perspective on this beautiful Dutch city.

About our therapists

In every walk there will be up to 2 facilitators- licenced psychologists who will make sure to create a structured, supportive environment where you can reflect, share, and grow alongside others who understand your journey.

Rebeka Pázmányová

PSYCHOLOGIST - COUPLES THERAPIST

More about Rebeka

Zeynep Demirelli

PSYCHOLOGIST

MORE ABOUT ZEYNEP

Vassia Sarantopoulou

Head psychologist - couples therapist - owner antiloneliness

More about Vassia

FAQ

• How long are the Mental Wellbeing Walks?

The Mental Wellbeing Walks in Leiden are designed to last approximately one hour. This duration has been carefully chosen to provide several benefits:

1. Optimal exercise time: One hour of light walking offers significant physical and mental health benefits without being overly strenuous.
2. Balanced schedule: The one-hour timeframe fits comfortably into most people's schedules, making it easier for participants to attend regularly.
3. Sufficient interaction: This duration allows ample time for meaningful discussions, reflections, and connection with other participants.
4. Focused engagement: The hour-long format helps maintain focus and energy throughout the session without risking mental fatigue.
5. Exploration of Leiden: One hour gives us enough time to explore different parts of beautiful Leiden each week, keeping the walks interesting and varied.
6. Structured activities: We can comfortably fit our planned wellbeing activities and discussions within this timeframe.
7. Consistency: Keeping all sessions to one hour helps participants plan their schedules and establishes a reliable routine.

Remember, while the formal walk and structured activities last one hour, participants often choose to continue socializing informally afterwards. You're always welcome to join these optional post-walk conversations if your schedule allows.
If you have any concerns about the duration or your ability to participate for the full hour, please let us know. We're committed to making the Mental Wellbeing Walks accessible and enjoyable for all participants.
​

• Do I need to speak Dutch to participate?

No, you do not need to speak Dutch to participate in our Mental Wellbeing Walks in Leiden. Our program is specifically designed for expats and is conducted entirely in English. Here's what you need to know:

• All walks and activities are led in English
• Our licensed psychologists are fluent English speakers
• Participants come from various international backgrounds, and English is our common language
• Discussions and reflections are held in English to ensure everyone can fully participate
• Any handouts or materials provided will be in English

While learning Dutch can be beneficial for long-term life in the Netherlands, our Mental Wellbeing Walks are a space where you can connect and express yourself freely in English. This allows us to focus on your mental wellbeing without the added stress of language barriers.
In fact, many participants find our walks a great opportunity to meet other English-speaking expats and share experiences about learning Dutch and adapting to life in the Netherlands.

• What if it rains during a scheduled walk?

Great question! We understand that Dutch weather can be unpredictable. Here's our plan for rainy days:

1. Light rain: The walk proceeds as planned. We encourage participants to come prepared with raincoats or umbrellas. A light drizzle can actually add a refreshing element to our walk!
2. Heavy rain or storms: We have a backup indoor location in Leiden where we'll hold our session. This ensures that we can still meet, connect, and engage in our wellbeing activities regardless of the weather.

Our rain policy:

• We monitor the weather forecast closely and will notify all registered participants via email at least 2 hours before the scheduled start time if we're moving to our indoor location.
• The indoor venue is centrally located in Leiden and easily accessible.
• Our indoor sessions follow a similar format to our walks, including group discussions and wellbeing exercises, adapted for an indoor setting.
• We occasionally use rainy days as an opportunity to focus on specific topics like "embracing uncertainty" or "finding peace in imperfect conditions" - turning the weather into a learning experience!

Remember, in the Netherlands, we often say, "You're not made of sugar!" - meaning a little rain won't melt you. This attitude helps us stay resilient and adaptable, which aligns perfectly with our mental wellbeing goals.
We recommend always checking your email before heading out to a session, especially if the weather looks uncertain. If you have any concerns about the weather or location, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Our goal is to provide consistent support for your mental wellbeing, come rain or shine!

• Can I join if I'm not an expat but interested in mental wellbeing?

Absolutely! While our Mental Wellbeing Walks are primarily designed with expats in mind, we welcome anyone interested in improving their mental wellbeing. Here's what you should know:

1. Open to all: Our walks are open to expats, locals, and anyone in between who is interested in mental wellbeing and personal growth.
2. Diverse perspectives: Having a mix of expats and locals can enrich our discussions and provide varied perspectives on wellbeing and life in the Netherlands.
3. Language: The walks are conducted in English, so you should be comfortable communicating in English to fully participate.
4. Cultural exchange: Your presence as a local or non-expat can be valuable for expat participants looking to understand Dutch culture better.
5. Universal topics: Many of our discussion topics, such as stress management, mindfulness, and emotional resilience, are universally applicable regardless of your expat status.
6. Community building: You'll have the opportunity to meet a diverse group of people and potentially form new friendships.
7. Supporting integration: Your participation can help create bridges between expat and local communities in Leiden.

Keep in mind that some discussions may focus on expat-specific challenges. However, these conversations often provide interesting insights into cross-cultural experiences that many find valuable, regardless of their background.
We believe that mental wellbeing is important for everyone, and we're happy to have you join us if you feel our walks align with your personal goals. If you have any other questions or concerns about participating, please don't hesitate to ask!