By providing a distinctive room for reflection, long‐distance walks can help people similar to professional counselling. To understand reflection processes’ influence on mental health, a framework focusing on personal transformations, specifically through the concept of liminality, can be used. Through nine semi‐structured interviews with middle‐aged and older long‐distance walkers, this study answers the following question: How do middle‐aged and older adults experience long‐distance walking, and how do their experiences influence their reflective process? Four themes emerged during the analysis: (1) overcoming strain and achieving a sense of capability; (2) simplicity in obligations and having the time to pursue emotionally difficult experiences; (3) solitariness and reflection on oneself; and (4) calmness and embracing thoughts. These findings illustrate how going on long‐distance walks may be similar to entering a liminal, or transformational, space. The findings show how long‐distance walks can be helpful, or perhaps even therapeutic, in situations where personal transformation is required.

中文翻译：

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心理运动：长距离步行如何影响中老年人的反思过程

通过提供一个独特的反思空间，长途步行可以帮助类似于专业咨询的人。为了理解反思过程对心理健康的影响，可以使用一个关注个人转变的框架，特别是通过阈值的概念。本研究通过对中老年长途步行者的 9 次半结构化访谈，回答了以下问题：中老年人如何体验长途步行，他们的经历如何影响他们的反思过程？分析过程中出现了四个主题：（1）克服压力，获得能力感；(2) 义务简单，有时间追求情感上的困难；(3) 孤独和自我反省；(4) 冷静和包容思想。这些发现说明了长途步行可能与进入阈限或转型空间相似。研究结果表明，在需要个人转变的情况下，长途步行是有帮助的，甚至可能是治疗性的。