The Hidden Impact of Nature: Why Even a Short Walk Makes a Difference
- Masterclass
- Physical Health & Movement
- 45 min
- English
Most of us feel better the moment we take a walk in nature. A short stroll through the forest, a nice view over the water, or even a single houseplant can already have an effect. But why does nature make us feel so good? And what exactly happens in our brain and body when we surround ourselves with trees, water, and organic shapes?
In this masterclass, Dr Andreas Wismeijer, psychologist, author, and professor at Tilburg University, guides you into the fascinating world of biophilia, neuroscience, and psychobiology. He explains how the scents, colours, and shapes of natural elements influence our emotions, cognition, and physical health: sometimes without us even realising it.
In this masterclass, you’ll learn:
- How our brain responds to green environments compared to urban stimuli;
- How elements like scent, colour, and shape calm our nervous system and reduce stress;
- Practical tips to use nature to boost your cognition and overall health.
Can’t join live? No worries! After the session, you will find the recording in the MyOpenUp library.
Explore more Spaces
Dealing with emotions | Emotions part 2
In a series of two sessions you will take the first steps in learning how to deal with your emotions in a healthy way. During this part 2 session, we will build upon what we learnt in part 1 and focus on how to regulate and process your emotions. You can expect a lot of interaction, sharing, and learning from each other.
For this session we ask you to switch your camera and microphone on, because it is interactive and needs your participation.
For Managers: Dealing with Pressure
Balancing team management with the demands of senior leadership can create significant pressure. Managers deal with a lot of responsibility and daily demands, which can cause a strong sense of pressure. But… How do you handle this pressure?
This interactive group session is designed to help you navigate these challenges by providing practical tools and support. By learning about mental toughness, resilience, and leveraging your strengths, we will help you increase your mental capacity to deal with pressure. Additionally, you will engage with fellow managers and share experiences and strategies.
For this session we ask you to switch your camera and microphone on, because it is interactive and needs your participation.
For Managers: Recognise and Deal With Early Burnout Signals
During this session for managers, we will focus on burnout and the vital role you, as a manager, play in preventing it within your team.
We will provide you with the essential tools and knowledge to identify early warning signs of burnout. By engaging in discussions and sharing experiences with other managers, you will gain insights into practical strategies for supporting your team effectively.
To enhance our discussion, please bring a real-life example of challenges you are facing in recognizing signs of burnout or in approaching team members about this issue. Sharing your experiences will help us tailor our strategies more effectively.
Please note that this session is designed to support managers in guiding others through burn-out symptoms. If you are personally experiencing burn-out, we recommend attending THIS session tailored to individual support.
To ensure the success of this session, we ask you to switch your camera and microphone on, as it will be interactive and needs your participation.
A Flexible Mind in Difficult Times
Life rarely goes exactly as planned. Unexpected challenges and difficult emotions are part of being human. But what if, instead of getting stuck in a loop, you could approach your thoughts and feelings differently?
In this interactive session, we’ll explore practical tools from Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you relate differently to your inner experiences. Together, we’ll practise skills that empower you to live more in line with what matters to you, no matter what challenges arise.
In this session you will:
Discover ACT’s core principles and how they can be applied in daily life
Learn how to respond to thoughts and emotions without fighting or avoiding them
Practise exercises that help you stay present, open up to difficulties, and connect with your values
For this session we ask you to switch your camera and microphone on, because it is interactive and needs your participation.
Coping with worries: how to ease your mind
How often do the currents of worry sweep through your mind? Have you pondered the weight they carry on your mental well-being and level of anxiety?
In this group session, we will delve into the intricate realm of worries:
Understanding the underlying functions of worry
Recognizing the effects of excessive worrying
Learning effective strategies to navigate worries and ease your mind
In this session we will interact, share and learn from each other through personal stories and practical exercises. Please be aware that this session will not cover severe anxiety or panic attacks, as 1:1 sessions are more suited if you’re having these experiences.
For this session we ask you to switch your camera and microphone on, because it is interactive and needs your participation.
Be the Change: A Different Approach to Stress at Work
Stress is often treated as an individual problem. Meditate more, manage your workload, breathe deeper. And while those things help, they miss something important: the collective stressors of our environment, our workplace, and the world at large often go unspoken.
For Stress Awareness Month (April 2026), we’ve collaborated with psychologist Jochem Bukman to challenge the way we think about stress at work. Rather than treating stress as something individuals should manage alone, this masterclass focuses on how organisations, leaders, and teams can create space to talk openly about stress, and actually do something about it together.
In this masterclass, you’ll learn:
How external stress lowers our threshold for coping at work, and how we can help each other lighten the load
How understanding personality types and working styles can help alleviate stress and build resilience across your team
How small, shared changes in how you lead, communicate, and show up for each other can make a real difference to how stress is experienced across a team
Can’t join live? No worries! After the session, you will find the recording in the MyOpenUp Videos section.
Gain insight into your emotions | Emotions part 1
In a series of two sessions you will learn how to deal with your emotions in a healthy way. During this part 1 session, we will first gain more insight into what emotions are, their function, how to recognise your emotions, and how you currently deal with (challenging) emotions. You can expect a lot of interaction, sharing, and learning from each other.
For this session we ask you to switch your camera and microphone on, because it is interactive and needs your participation.
Introduction to intuitive and mindful eating
This session is hosted every month. When a session is fully booked, this page automatically displays the next available session.
It is no surprise that our nutrition impacts our mental well-being, mood, and energy levels. After all, we are what we eat! In this session you will be guided by a nutritionist to help you improve your relationship to food.
In this session, you will gain awareness about your relationship to food, eating behaviour and practice with intuitive eating exercises.
For this session we ask you to switch your camera and microphone on, because it is interactive and needs your participation.
Breathing Techniques for Everyday Challenges
Are you curious about the power of your breath and how to harness it effectively? Understanding and improving your breathing is crucial as it directly affects your mental, emotional, and physical health.
Breathing is a remarkable, natural tool for relaxation, readily available to everyone. In our upcoming session, you’ll learn to master deeper breathing techniques, uncover how these practices can alter your emotional state, aid in stress relief, and enhance your sleep quality.
What you can expect:
– Foundation of Breathwork: Essential knowledge everyone should have about breathing.
– Four Versatile Techniques: Explore breathing methods tailored for various life situations.
– Practical Experience: Feel firsthand how controlled breathing can foster relaxation, sharpen focus, relieve stress, and improve sleep quality
Please ensure your camera and microphone are on, as this interactive session requires your active participation.
Menstrual Health and Emotional Well-being
Today, the topic of menstrual health remains underrepresented, leaving many individuals in the dark, dealing with challenges alone.
In this group session, we will focus on helping you feel more connected to your menstrual health, share your experiences with others, and navigate challenges together.
You will learn how to:
Address your challenges and implement practical coping strategies
Enhance your emotional well-being from a psychological perspective
Navigate your cycle with more self-compassion
To make the most of this group session, please watch our recorded masterclass or complete our course on menstrual health beforehand. These resources provide a solid foundation in the subject, which will enhance your understanding and participation in the session.
For this session, we kindly ask you to switch your camera and microphone on, as it is interactive and requires participation.
*Please note: We encourage and welcome individuals of all gender identities to join, including individuals who are in women’s bodies but do not identify as women.
