What is Silent Walking?

The process of “silent walking” is a great way to burn calories and reduce stress

Proponents of this method claim that walking without gadgets or distractions reduces stress and allows them to think better and be more focused. Experts also believe that silent walking copes with the stresses of everyday life. You can turn silent walking into an experience to strengthen the conscious part of your brain by becoming more aware of your surroundings.

One of the first things you might do while walking is grab your headphones or hands-free. But a new trend on social media is encouraging people to go gadget-free — and distraction-free. But rather than listening to a podcast or hanging out with a friend, silent walking is about getting a physical workout without the need for special equipment or other people to fill the void.

The benefits of walking are well documented, but experts say silent walking is especially beneficial for your mental and emotional health.

TikTok creator Maddy Mayo told social media users that her nutritionist advised her to walk for 30 minutes a day “instead of doing crazy cardio” and to increase the benefits of this walk, silent walking, or “distraction-free walking”. Mayo says from his experience that this new style of walking gives him time to be alone with his thoughts, feel more relaxed, think more clearly about issues, and make decisions.

Of course, walking without distractions is nothing new, but in today’s busy world, the absence of any distractions is rarer than ever for many people, but experts believe that their absence can promote physical, mental, and emotional health. also help.

Health benefits of silent walking

Therapist Tracey Richardson believes that the popularity of silent walking is a direct result of our busy lifestyles. This style of walking is a way for us to find the peace we always need.

He says: Silent walking has recently become more popular due to people’s need to escape from the 24-hour always-on and busy culture that all of society is involved in.

There is so much noise that surrounds us daily, and I believe it is a push against reconnecting consciously with yourself and learning to calm yourself down.

One of the biggest benefits of silent walking is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Modern life often puts you in fight-or-flight mode and turns on the sympathetic part of your autonomic nervous system. This response should be reserved for acute situations where you need to flee or stand up and fight – it is not designed for routine situations – and when constantly stimulated, it stresses the body and mind.

Richardson describes silent walking as an opportunity to get away from this stress, she says, so you come back to your body and notice how you’re feeling. Silent walking brings you to the present moment to be aware of yourself and your surroundings. This is the difference between being alert and having a mind full of thoughts.

Taking time to focus in this way may not only help you feel more relaxed, but it can also affect your physical health. It allows our body to go into a parasympathetic state of rest, repair, and digestion.

The difference between silent walking and walking with distraction

The difference between silent walking and distracted walking is that the latter stimulates more of our emotions. Depending on how stressed you are feeling at the time, distraction walking can combine feelings of anxiety and overwhelm.

“We’ve evolved so rapidly technologically and as a society that our brains are finding it harder to process the barrage of information we’re exposed to every day,” says Holly Hannigan, hypnotherapist and psychotherapist.

“The benefits of going for a walk while listening to music or a podcast or even walking with a friend can be overwhelming for some people, but in reality, you might start talking to your friend about life’s annoyances at the same time,” she says. Meanwhile, music can remind you of strong emotions and memories, and podcasts can distract the mind and prevent you from focusing and thinking clearly.

Deep conversations and interesting podcasts can be stimulating in their own right, but if you’re walking because you need a mental break, removing distractions while moving your body can be a great way to de-stress (literally). be extra

Silent walks allow us to enjoy and appreciate the nature that surrounds us. Studies show that this can be especially beneficial for our mental and physical health.

A study published in 2022 found that an hour’s walk in nature reduced stress-related brain activity. Also, the time spent in nature restores concentration and lowers blood pressure.

How to get the most out of a silent walk

The key to reaping the benefits of silent walking is to make it a more conscious experience. If you have a habit of grabbing your headphones before going out the door, try to break this habit. Instead, when you’re out for a walk, pay attention to the feel of the ground beneath your feet. Take a moment to stop and look at the sky, the depth of the colors, the shape of each cloud. If you see a beautiful flower or leaf, take a moment to touch it. All these little things are an important part of mindfulness, paying attention to the details around you at the moment and focusing your mind on the here and now, rather than wandering about work, family, or future worries.

Conclusion

So, are silent walks as beneficial as they seem? It depends on what you want at the time. If you want a little stimulation while you’re putting your feet on the pavement, a fun podcast or hanging out with a good friend might be a good choice. But if what you need is a break from the daily stresses of life and a chance to rest and recharge, a distraction-free walk seems to have many mental and physical benefits and is a more effective choice.

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