The health benefits of walking are well known, but supporters claim that quiet walking may be especially good for your mental and emotional health. Silent walking
Since the inventor of TikTok, Mady Maio, suggested walking for 30 minutes a day “instead of doing insane cardio” to social media users, the concept has gained popularity. Her lover advised she take a distraction-free walk to maximize the advantages.
In a video, Maio challenges her to walk without “any music, any podcasts, or any air pods.”
Since then, the practice of silent walking has gained popularity, with many individuals claiming that it helps them feel calmer and think more clearly by giving them time to be alone with their thoughts.
Uninterrupted walking is nothing new, of course, but in today’s hectic world, being present and free from distractions is becoming more and more of a rarity for many people, and experts claim it can also improve one’s physical, mental, and emotional health.
Health benefits of silent walking
According to therapist Tracy Richardson, our increasingly hectic lifestyles are a direct cause of the popularity of silent walking. It allows us to obtain some much-needed peace and quiet.
She claims that the yearning for an escape from the nonstop, always-on hustling mentality that our society has become into has contributed to the increase in popularity of silent walking in recent years.
“There is so much “noise” that surrounds us every day, and I think that reestablishing conscious connections with oneself and learning to slow down are a kickback against this.”
The potential of quiet walking to reduce stress and anxiety may be one of its greatest advantages.
Richardson explains that “modern living frequently puts you into fight or flight mode and switches on the sympathetic part of your autonomic nervous system.”
It’s not intended for chronic situations, and when it’s constantly aroused, it stresses the body and mind. This response should only be used in urgent situations where you need to flee or stand and fight.
Richardson suggests taking a break from this tension by going for a silent walk so you can “drop back into your body” and take stock of how you are feeling.
“Silent walking puts you into the present, making you conscious of your surroundings and yourself. It’s the difference between having a full mind and being mindful, she speculates.
Making time for mindfulness in this way can improve your mental and physical health in addition to making you feel calmer and more composed.
According to Richardson, this is because when we walk without distractions, we expose ourselves to stresses like noise less.
According to her, doing so enables our body to enter the parasympathetic state, which promotes digestion, rest, and regeneration.
How distraction-filled walking differs from silent walking
The main distinction between walking in silence and walking when distracted is that the latter involves an increasing amount of stimulation. This may intensify feelings of worry and overwhelm, depending on how stressed you are at the moment.
According to hypnotherapist and psychotherapist Holly Hannigan, “We have evolved so quickly technologically and as a society that our brains are finding it more difficult to process the barrage of information we are exposed to on a daily basis.”
The main distinction between walking in silence and walking when distracted is that the latter involves an increasing amount of stimulation. This may intensify feelings of worry and overwhelm, depending on how stressed you are at the moment.
According to hypnotherapist and psychotherapist Holly Hannigan, “We have evolved so quickly technologically and as a society that our brains are finding it more difficult to process the barrage of information we are exposed to on a daily basis.”
We frequently discover that when we step away from screens, we notice more than ever. We observe things from a distance, which enables the eyes to properly accept the light, distance, and depth of our surroundings as opposed to straining to focus on a screen that is only a few inches away, according to Hannigan.
The outdoors is more absorbing and we can better appreciate it when we take silent walks. According to studies, this can be very good for both our physical and emotional wellbeing.
For instance, a 2022 study discovered that a one-hour stroll in the outdoors decreased brain activity linked to stress. Additionally, it discovered that spending time in nature helped people pay attention with clarity and lowered blood pressure.
How to make the most of a quiet stroll
Making silent walking more conscious is the key to getting the most out of it. Make a deliberate effort to leave your headphones at home if you are accustomed to doing so before leaving the house.
Hannigan also suggests that you “try to notice the feeling of the ground beneath your feet” when you’re out for a walk. “Stop for a moment and observe the sky, its depth of color, and any clouds’ shapes. Take a moment to touch any lovely flowers or foliage you come across, she advises.
“All of these little things are an important part of mindfulness, taking notice of the details around you in the moment and keeping your mind focused on the here and now, rather than wandering off into thoughts about work, family, or future worries,” says Hannigan.
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