The TikTok Silent Walking Trend May Be Seriously Onto Something — Here's What To Know

Sometimes the best things in life can be shockingly simple. This is certainly the case with TikTok's latest trend of silent walking — a peaceful way to move that is exactly what it sounds like. You hit the pavement with no distractions: no phone calls, no podcasts, and no music. The practice is simply the healthy, steady rhythm of walking in peace and quiet.

There are many reasons why this trend is so valuable. For starters, an exercise routine can transform your body, mind, and relationships. The best way to start is by starting small, and a walk is a great way to make that happen. It's more attainable to incorporate into a daily practice than an intense class at the gym. You can also incorporate a walk into other parts of your day. A walking lunch break is a wonderful way to break up the work day, whether you work from home or in an office. What makes this TikTok trend so special is the silence. Here's everything there is to know about it.

The phenomenon of silent walking is nothing new. In fact, it's long been practiced by Buddhist monks, and the late Thich Nhat Hanh was a huge advocate of walking meditations as a complement to seated meditations. Humans have been aware of the power of contemplative walking for a long time now.

The idea has become popular on TikTok thanks to Mady Maio, who shared about the way she came to discover the benefits of walking quietly. She called it "silent walking" and shared that her nutritionist told her to limit high-intensity cardio because it was causing inflammation in her body. Instead, she was encouraged to go walking for 30 minutes a day. Her boyfriend added to the idea, by suggesting that Maio walk without any distractions. Maio said that the first two minutes can be tough for anxiety, but once she works through that, she shared that she gains a lot of insight and intuition through the silence.

Fans of TikTok trends will recall the "hot girl" walk that took over social media in the summer of 2022, coined by Mia Lind. That trend incorporated walking for 4 miles a day where you're only allowed to think about what you're grateful for, what your goals are and how to achieve them, and, of course, how hot you are. Music, podcasts, and other background noise were acceptable. While this is well and good, silent walking has different benefits.

Silent walking is best when done without any distractions. This includes the obvious things, like music and podcasts, but it also includes walking with a friend or even your dog. The point is to be able to mindfully connect with what's around you in the present moment.

Give yourself this gift, because the benefits are tremendous. For one, there are obvious physical benefits, like increased cardiovascular strength and increased energy levels. But there are also psychological benefits to the practice of silent walking. "Silent walking allows the mind to shift into a different mode of rest and focus," Lalah Delia, author of "Vibrate Higher Daily," told Today. "I often say that sleep is not the only form of rest. Practices like silent walking and walking meditation are also forms of rest." Silent walking allows you the opportunity to clear your head and get in touch with what's going on inside. It offers ways to reduce anxiety and bring in more internal clarity. It is, after all, a form of meditation.

While walks in nature can facilitate silence more easily, the good news is that city dwellers can go on silent walks that reap just as many benefits, even with the hubbub of a metropolis all around. "For those of us who live in cities, you can still engage in a silent walk — your environment doesn't necessarily need to be silent, but you do," psychologist Amanda Darnley told Today. So the practice is adaptable to any environment.