TikTok has a new viral trend called "Silent Walking", where residents walk outdoors solo without music, podcasts, or any other distractions. The idea is to be mindful. Many followers claim that walking without any such distractions offers numerous benefits, such as mental clarity, reduced stress, and a deeper connection with themselves.
Mady Maio started the trend in the summer of 2023. In her TikTok video, she told the world for 30 minutes of her walk, it's just “me, myself and I.” She said that it was her boyfriend's idea and that her anxiety would come in the way. However, she gave it a shot anyway.
She described the first two minutes as "mayhem" in her head. However, as things calmed down eventually, she was in a "flow state." She claims that her brain fog subsided and ideas started pouring into her head because she gave them "space to enter."
The Silent Walk, as Gen-Z has dubbed it, has been a tradition of Zen Buddhist monks for long, known to them as silent meditation. Lalah Delia, the author of "Vibrate Higher Daily," spoke to Today.com in August 2023 about it:
“Zen Buddhist monks have long practiced silent walking under a different name which they call ‘walking meditation.’”
Benefits of Silent Walking
Juanita Guerra, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, reflected on the trend, saying:
“Silent walking is an easy way to disconnect from all the noise and chaos that is part of our busy world. It’s an excellent way to connect to our core selves.”
Dr Chandni Tugnait, a psychotherapist, has described some of the benefits of this trend. She told Hindustan Times in September 2023, that it releases stress and eases anxiety by drawing away from uneasy thoughts and focusing on walking. It also paves the way for self-awareness and emotional regulation. Furthermore, it improves concentration and mood.
Charlie Heath, a fellow TikToker, also shared her thoughts after coming across the trend on her "For You" page. She said that while it may look "boring and maybe even anxiety-inducing," it's a great way to "get in tune with what's going on in your body and improve your mental health." She added:
"And the thing is, silent walking is more than just a trend, the research has shown that even light exercise when you're unplugged from technology really has a positive impact on symptoms of depression and anxiety."
New York Influencer, Arielle Lorre reportedly came up with the term Silent Walking back in January 2024. According to her, it helped her become more aware of her surroundings. She was able to "smell everything" and "hear everything," rendering it a "grounding experience."
