Is a silent walk just a trend or the exercise you need?

The quiet walk is a seemingly straightforward idea. It involves going on a stroll in perfect stillness. In contrast to regular walking, which is frequently done for recreation, exercise or transit, this is a deliberate practice that entails little stimulus from the outside world. Putting just one foot in front of the other with conscious awareness of the surroundings is the only goal in a silent walk.

Paying attention to your own breath or listening to the sounds of the sea, water and birds emanate a relaxing wave of energy that can nourish you and regulate your hormones. Studies have shown that a brief forest walk affects the autonomic nervous system positively.  One study in 2020 found that a 30-minute walk in an urban park reduced the amount of time that people dwelled on negative thoughts. Silence stimulates brain growth. Quietening the mind might lead to a healthier brain.

What are the benefits of a silent walk?

Grounding: Walking silently with bare feet helps you with grounding, discharging your excess negative energies and bringing about a balance. Earthing proponents assert that this technique can improve mood, enhance sleep and reduce inflammation. The topic is still being studied scientifically but the silent stroll fits with the general notion that spending time in nature can improve both physical and mental health.

De-stressing: Silence itself is a great de-stressor. People who performed their task with noise in the background had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. By generating endorphins, which are “feel good” neurotransmitters, this kind of walking helps to soothe the nervous system.

Emotional Control: Using the silent walk regularly can help with emotional control. People can more effectively comprehend and control their emotions if they can observe their thoughts and feelings without passing judgement.

Blood pressure control: Hypertension or high blood pressure is often called the “silent” killer. But silence during walking can actually help reduce blood pressure.

Digital detox: The silent stroll provides a necessary break from electronic devices in an age where screens rule our lives. People are urged to disconnect from technology and interact with the outside world.

Improves focus and concentration: Focussing on one thing at a time with one’s full attention can help promote efficiency and calmness amidst activity. Life happens in order. When we focus on one thing at a time, we are not scattered. Our attention and energy are aligned. Silence opens up the perceptions of the brain.

Improves sleep quality: Silence and tranquil intervals promote brain development and reduce stress, which can lead to a greater sense of well-being since people can feel more relaxed overall. When this happens, sleep quality improves.

Being in the present: You have the opportunity to sit with the present moment while you are silent. The mind can calm down and the body can resume its parasympathetic condition. A silent walk can become a tool of meditation.