What is Silent Walking?
There’s been a trend getting views on social media called ‘Silent Walking’, which is taking off for Gen-Z – those born between 1996 and 2012 and now teenagers or young adults. It’s as basic as it sounds: going for a walk with no distractions. No music. No podcasts. No livestreaming. No pictures for an Instagram story – not even the occasional ‘ding’ of a message notification.
Why is Silent Walking important?
As a person somewhat removed from Gen-Z, my first reaction was a dismissive “surely that’s just walking?”, but for a generation brought up with constant access to electronics, leaving them behind can be a significant challenge – and opportunity.
It’s generally accepted that over-use of electronics and especially social media can lead to increased stress. But getting away from all of it is hard. We use our phones and computers for communication, reminders, navigation and entertainment. For many a phone is a constant companion; the first thing checked in the morning, and the last thing at night.
Silent Walking is deliberately getting away from all that, preferably in a green space (also shown to reduce stress levels). Even if only for 30 minutes, it can boost mental health, and give a greater appreciation of the world around us.
Top Tips for Silent Walking
- Leave the phone behind. If you can’t, have it fully powered off or on silent and flight mode so there’s no updates, no notification icons and nothing to draw your attention. Put it in a bag, not your pocket.
- Instead of using an app, follow a route you know, or one that’s signposted. Many country parks will have easy to follow waymarked trails. Beaches and coasts give easy ‘out and back’ paths.
- For longer routes, practice traditional navigation using a map and compass. You need to be much more engaged with your surroundings, checking off key features as you pass them and looking for changes in the landscape shown on your map.
- Engage with your surroundings. Read our tips on Sensory walks will help you make the most of not being distracted by messages
Where can you go?
Anywhere! You can walk in urban parks, on rural footpaths, along a canal path or quiet back roads. There are benefits to being in green spaces (see Step outside for your mental health), Silent Walking focuses on being engaged with the environment around you and ignoring the constant demands of social media.
How do I find the time for silent walking?
Like many mental health practices, silent walking is most effective if you can enjoy it regularly. Fortunately, it requires no special equipment, and can easily be combined with everyday activities.
You can combine it with walking to work, to the shops, or to the gym. If you have a dog you can have at least one daily walk where you leave the phone behind. You can use a break from work to walk around the local area.
How long should I walk for?
Charlie Health, the mental health organisation, suggests that even 5 minutes of meditative silent walking can have measurable benefits, while NHS Better Health suggests at least 10 minutes of brisk walking every day to boost the cardiovascular system, as well as mental health.
If you notice the benefits of shorter walks you may decide to extend them, even going as far as “no electronics” days, where you can totally switch off from the demands of always on communication.
