‘Silent walking’ trend: Psychiatrist shares stress-relieving benefits of strolling in silence
The thought of taking a silent stroll might sound utterly intuitive — however on TikTok, individuals are collaborating in a problem to walk with out the accompaniment of music or podcasts. Their purpose? Boosting their psychological well being.
Content creator Mady Maio sparked the development after posting a video that claimed strolling with out headphone noise granted her mind the house to assume freely.
She described the expertise as “mayhem” for the primary two minutes, when the “mind is racing” and nervousness ensues.
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“But something happens after two minutes, where your brain just gets into this flow state and everything is quiet,” she stated in her June 12 video. “And suddenly, you can … hear yourself.”
TikTok has sparked the “silent walking” motion — with many customers reporting the benefits of being free of synthetic noise. (iStock)
“After 30 minutes of silent walking, I suddenly had the clarity that I had always been looking for — brain fog lifted.”
Maio’s video presently has practically 50,000 likes, sparking many different TikTok customers to undertake the silent stroll as the brand new “hot girl walk.”
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The creator instructed that listening to music and podcasts doesn’t enable the mind to have “space” to welcome new concepts.
“Every time I finish a silent walk, I have a new idea for my business, I’ve untangled a weird situation in my head that I’ve been ruminating over and I feel like a lot of my current question marks get answered,” she stated.
TikToker Mady Maio (not pictured) reported that her mind fog lifts after a 30-minute “silent walk.” (iStock)
Triple board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Raafat W. Girgis stated he considers silent strolling a “unique meditation” that may promise “numerous benefits in as little as 10 minutes,” he informed Fox News Digital.
“Participants will learn how to reduce stress in areas of concern — from work and family to finance pressures and possibly even world affairs,” stated Girgis, who practices at Moment of Clarity, a psychological well being heart in Orange County, California.
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“Learning how to block out the noise of the world and life in general is the primary goal of silent walking,” he added.
External noise causes mind stimulation in the nervous system, he stated, which “responds by raising levels of stress hormones (endorphins) in the brain.”
Silent strolling can present psychological well being benefits in as little as 10 minutes, in line with a psychiatrist primarily based in Orange County, California. (iStock)
Silent strolling also can enhance temper by combining physique motion and publicity to nature, which permits the mind to “naturally release endorphins,” he continued.
“The body, mind and soul are connected,” Girgis stated. “While in nature, removing the stressors and replacing them with quiet thought with no interference … your mood improves naturally.”
“Learning how to block out the noise of the world and life in general is the primary goal of silent walking.”
“Your mind clears, and your thoughts are more organized and positive.”
The psychiatrist additionally identified that strolling in silence can assist promote mindfulness.
Silent strolling improves temper, reduces stress and promotes mindfulness, a psychiatrist informed Fox News Digital. (iStock)
“Staying away from the noise can cultivate a sense of awareness and connection with your environment, promoting mental clarity and reducing rumination or intrusive thoughts,” he stated.
Silently strolling in nature permits the mind and physique to concentrate on the current second, Girgis stated, whereas staying aware and lowering extreme, repetitive considering that may trigger stress and fear.
Even although silent strolling is now presenting itself as new and stylish, Girgis identified that some spiritual teams and modalities have practiced it as psychological well being remedy “for some time.”
Learning to dam out the “noise of the world” is the purpose of silent strolling. (iStock)
“The goal is to find a way to [achieve] self-awareness and develop internal peace to … support whole personal wellness,” he stated.
“Remembering to practice balance in all areas of life is the key to finding serenity in the midst of world affairs and personal stressors,” he went on.
Best practices for silent strolling
Those who need to give silent strolling a attempt ought to begin by selecting an outside setting that’s noise-free, in line with Girgis.
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The psychiatrist inspired walkers to have interaction their senses whereas on the transfer, by taking in their environment, listening to nature, noticing ideas and feelings, and being conscious of their senses.
“Remembering to practice balance in all areas of life is the key to finding serenity in the midst of world affairs and personal stressors.” (iStock)
“Although there may be some discomfort in the silence, it is part of the learning process,” he stated.
This stroll doesn’t need to be “long and drawn out,” Girgis stated, as a mere 10 to fifteen minutes will produce optimistic results.
“I like to walk a little longer and enjoy the outdoors and the quiet,” he stated.
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Walkers ought to contemplate reflecting and journaling after a silent stroll to trace temper modifications and enhancements in outlook on conditions which will have been beforehand troubling, Girgis instructed.
