It involves taking a walk without talking or listening to anything, such as music or a podcast.
This trend claims that walking without distractions reduces stress in addition to other benefits of walking.
However, this practice is similar to other practices, such as mindful andmeditative walking.
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You may combine walking andmeditationby meditating before or after a walk.
Silent walking to focus on the experience, environment, and self may helprelieve symptoms of stressand anxiety.
However, this is not the case if anxious or stressful thoughts replace the audio.
Are There Any Other Health Benefits?
Achieving the benefits of walking meditation may depend more on preferences than if there is sound.
Try silent walking and notice how relaxed you feel afterward to determine the possible benefits.
Mindfulness may help to prevent cognitive decline.
More research is necessary to determine if silent walking affects brain growth.
It is reasonable to assume that silent walking would be beneficial for overall well-being as well.
So Is Walking With Distractions Bad for You?
Though walking with distractions may increase the risk of accidents, it is not necessarily bad.
When silent walking, check in with your thoughts and feelings.
How to Choose
Whether you walk in silence or not depends on your needs.
If you choose not to try silent talking, consider what will replace the silence and ensure its benefit.
For example, research has shown that having quality conversations withfriendsincreases daily well-being.
When walking in silence, check in with thoughts and feelings.
Practicing mindfulness or trying multiple options may help before deciding what works best.
However, there is insufficient scientific research to determine the benefits of silent walking.
Walking with music and conversations with friends have also shown benefits beyond those of walking alone.
If you are considering silent walking, give it a try, along with other ways of walking.
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Published online January 27, 2023:009365022211393. doi:10.1177/00936502221139363
