Is silent walking better for your mental health than with earpods in?

Silent walking is exactly what it sounds like—unplugging, unwinding, and taking a walk without distractions, fully connecting with your surroundings. Plus, it comes with a host of health benefits. 

 

 Be honest: when was the last time you went for a walk without your earpods plugged in, your favourite playlist on blast, or a podcast keeping you company? For most of us, silence can feel awkward, almost like a void we’re eager to fill. But a new trend is flipping that idea on its head, encouraging people to do exactly the opposite—embrace the quiet.

The SilentWalking trend is gaining traction as users share their experiences of taking a stroll without any digital distractions, and it turns out, it’s more than just a challenge. It’s quickly becoming a mental health practice that promises to bring calm, clarity, and a much-needed break from the noise of everyday life and also helps reduce anxiety.

What is silent walking?

Silent walking is as straightforward as it sounds—going for a walk without any digital distractions. No music, no podcasts, no calls. It’s just you, your thoughts, and the surroundings.

A psychologist and counsellor says, “In today’s day and age, the most major distraction is our phone, so keeping that and any sort of distraction away and simply going for a walk alone is what is known as silent walking. It's super healthy for our mental health as it includes a great amount of mindful self-reflection beyond the virtual and distraction-filled world. It’s a great form of physical and mindful activity.”

A clinical psychologist adds, "Incorporating mindfulness, silent walking encourages us to focus on the present moment, offering a break from constant distractions. It acts as a form of digital detox, helping us disconnect from technology. Inspired by the ancient practice of Zen Buddhism, it’s also known as walking meditation."

How did the concept go viral?

The silent walking trend took off last year after a social media creator shared her experience following a piece of advice from her nutritionist: instead of engaging in intense cardio workouts, she was encouraged to take a simple 30-minute walk each day. Adding to this, her boyfriend suggested she try walking without any distractions—no podcasts, no music, just silence.

This sparked a wave of social media posts, with countless people sharing their own silent walking experiences.

While her video played a key role in the trend’s recent surge, the practice of walking without digital distractions is not a new concept.

An actor  known for his washboard abs and fitness regime, has often mentioned how he prefers to leave his earphones behind when it comes to walking or running. Not only does he avoid distraction, but he also runs barefoot, mostly.

How silent walking can benefit your mental health

A psychiatrist says that something like silent walking encourages awareness, which makes people more conscious of their surroundings and bodies. This can result in a better sense of emotional equilibrium and inner serenity. It also offers a chance for contemplation and promotes mental health. He adds that silent walking can also:

Encourage mindfulness: Silent walking turns an everyday activity, walking, into a mindfulness practice. Without music or chatter to distract you, you start to notice things around you—the rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds, even the rhythm of your footsteps. It’s an opportunity to be present in the moment, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Promote self-reflection: For many, quiet moments are when they’re most reflective. Walking without any audio inputs can help clear mental clutter, giving you a chance to process your thoughts, emotions, and even come up with creative ideas. It’s almost like giving your brain a moment to breathe.

Break the cycle of constant stimulation: We live in a world of instant gratification, where there's always something new vying for our attention. Silent walking helps to disrupt this cycle of over-stimulation, allowing the brain to rest and reset. Research has shown that taking breaks from digital devices can improve concentration and cognitive function.

Boost mood: Walking itself is known to release endorphins—the “feel-good” hormones. Combine that with the calming effect of silence, and you have a simple but powerful mood booster. Many social media users have reported feeling more at ease and centred after a silent walk, describing it as a form of therapy.

Improve sleep quality: Silent walking, especially if done in the evening, can help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down, making it easier to fall asleep.

Other benefits: When done on a regular basis, it helps improve cardiovascular health, circulation, and general fitness. The practice also improves sensory awareness since silent walking makes people more aware of the sights, sounds, and smells around them, which strengthens their bond with the natural world.

How to do it?

It might seem like silent walking is no big deal and anyone can do it, but truth be told, it's easier said than done because that would need a lot of mindfulness as well as patience.

To get started, the experts recommend keeping things simple:

Start small: Begin with a 10-minute walk around your neighbourhood. As you get comfortable, you can increase the duration.

Choose a comfortable path: Pick a familiar route so you don’t have to think too much about where you’re going. This will allow you to relax and focus on the experience.

Leave your phone at home: If it feels too daunting, take your phone along, but keep it on silent mode. Resist the urge to check it until you’re done.

Not just a passing trend

Silent walking may have become the talk of the town owing to its popularity on a social media, but the art of taking a morning or evening walk without any distraction has always been the norm (ask your parents and grandparents). So, this isn't a fad.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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