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What is ‘silent walking’? TikTok trend has fans unplugging for their favourite hikes
Including an expert explanation of the benefits
TIKTOK has coined a new trend known as silent walking.
Gen Z may have divided opinion online with the silent walking trend, but the benefits to your wellbeing cannot be ignored.
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What is silent walking?
Silent walking is the act of taking a walk without noise.
There's no conversation, and no phones to distract yourself with music or a podcast - it's just you and the world around you.
The trend went viral after lifestyle influencer Mady Maio, shared her reason for a silent walk on TikTok in June 2023, accidentally starting a "movement" of young walkers.
How it began
Walking in intentional silence has long been associated with honouring servicemen or indeed the dead.
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But this walk acts as a kind of dopamine detox to promote mindfulness to perk you up.
The Los Angeles based podcast host Mady Maio, 28, claims to have started the "movement" and told over 50, 000 of her followers that they should try it sometime.
She said: "My sweet boyfriend challenged me to walk without distractions.
"No ear pods, no podcasts, no music just me, myself and I.
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"And look, the first two minutes are mayhem, your mind is racing and you're going to have anxiety.
"Then something happens after two minutes where your brain just gets into this flow state, and finally you can hear yourself," she exclaimed.
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Mady's silent walk video, which has since been removed, racked up over 500K in views and inspired others to take up her wellness trend.
The craze has continued to take TikTok by storm.
With a daily flurry of users uploading their silent walks to TikTok, silent walking is now being referred to as a wellness trend.
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Benefits of silent walking
There are both physical and mental benefits from silent walking.
Breathwork specialist and meditation coach, explains:
“Simply walking with your own thoughts and taking in the world around you can be hugely beneficial in terms of calming the nervous system and shifting your perspective from constant screen use.
"A traditional walking meditation might see you walking and taking in the world around you or focusing on your breathing as you walk.
"When you remove external stimuli such as a podcast, you’re more likely to hear what’s going on around you, and connect with your senses in a way you wouldn’t otherwise.
"Connecting with the senses is beneficial and is often used in mindfulness techniques to help calm the mind, relax the body and help a person feel more grounded.
"You’re also more likely to breathe more effectively too which is another proven and effective way to help relax and regulate the nervous system.
"It should be noted that for some, this task that might simple, but could be challenging for others, especially for those with anxiety disorders, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),” she explained.
Divided opinion
While some have praised Mady, including one user who took to the comment section to say: "Mady Maio you started something great!"
There are many others who mocked the trend, and said that Mady has taken credit for something that has been around for a long time.
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One said: "Gen X was silent walking before it was cool."
While another said: "Omg... this is not new... get over it.'"
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