Daily experience of silent walking boosted personal wellbeing according to experts' claims - I undertook this practice for a week and these are my findings
Embracing the Benefits of Silent Walking: A Mindful Approach to Stress Relief and Mental Wellbeing
In today's digital age, it's no secret that our phones consume a significant amount of our time and mental space. However, one millennial author is challenging this norm by advocating for a simple, yet powerful practice: silent walking.
Experts and science agree that shorter, regular walking sessions can bring about numerous benefits over time. A study published in the Health Promotion Perspectives found that just 10 minutes of brisk walking can improve mood, while a brisk 15-minute walk can help reduce stress levels, provide a screen break, reset posture, and clear the mind.
Silent walking takes this concept a step further by combining physical activity with mindfulness and disconnection from digital distractions. This practice promotes relaxation, emotional regulation, and a clearer mind.
Key benefits of silent walking include:
- Stress reduction and emotional regulation: By focusing on the present moment without judgment, silent walking can help lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and balance emotions.
- Mental decluttering and introspection: By walking without electronic devices or audio distractions, individuals create space for inner reflection and mental clarity, leading to greater peace and calm.
- Improved mood and reduced anxiety/depression symptoms: Walking promotes endorphin release, boosting mood and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Connection to nature and enhanced relaxation: Silent walking in natural settings activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering heart rate and blood pressure, and promoting a sense of wellbeing.
- Mindful engagement with surroundings: Being fully present during silent walks prevents multitasking or worry, encouraging relaxation and gratitude.
- Physical health improvements that support mental wellbeing: Walking enhances cardiovascular health, which in turn contributes to a calmer mental state in stressful situations.
Consistency in finding a frequency and duration that works for each individual and their schedule is crucial to ensure the benefits of walking. For the author, being without their phone made them more present and allowed them to truly 'see' the sights, sounds, and people around them.
In summary, silent walking—walking quietly without tech distractions, infused with mindfulness—acts as a natural, accessible practice that supports mental health by reducing stress, improving mood, fostering self-awareness, and enhancing one’s connection to the environment and self. Whether you're a tech-savvy millennial or not, it's worth considering the benefits of embracing this simple, yet powerful practice.
For those seeking guidance on the best walking shoes, a helpful guide is available.
- The growing trend of silent walking not only offers physical health benefits through walking but also targets mental wellbeing by reducing stress, improving mood, and promoting emotional regulation.
- Studies in science and health-and-wellness fields have shown that walking, especially when paired with mindfulness and disconnection from technology, can help improve mental health by lowering cortisol levels, reducing stress, and boosting endorphins.
- Fitness-and-exercise enthusiasts and mental health advocates alike are recognizing the powerful impact of silent walking as a fitness trend that addresses both physical and mental aspects of overall wellbeing.
