Do you do this while walking? Better give up these habits
“Silent cooling” is gaining popularity on social media. We explain what this trend is and what benefits it brings.
Do you like walking to the sound of your favorite music? Are you taking a walk to catch up on audiobooks? Specialists advise against this type of practice and encourage people to “walk quietly” without distractions. This is especially important nowadays, when we live in a constant rush and have no time to be alone with ourselves in silence.
What are the benefits of walking in silence?
“Silent cooling” has become popular recently due to the need to escape the everyday hustle and bustle. Modern lifestyle – as therapist Tracy Richardson explains – puts people in fight or flight mode and turns on the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system. This response should be reserved for emergency situations. If it occurs constantly, it becomes a source of chronic stress. Silent walks are an opportunity to get rid of growing tension. It is also an excellent training in mindfulness, “being here and now”. Using this type of practices allows you to focus on yourself and your emotions, and consequently, it is easier to find internal balance.
“Silent cooling” is a great way to limit the amount of stimuli reaching us from the environment and relieve a tired mind. It is important to remember that stress has a strong impact not only on our mental health, but also on our mental health. Long-term tension is one of the main risk factors for many different types of diseases, for example diabetes, hypertension and cancer. Moreover, chronic stress can lead to exacerbation of existing health problems and cause many unpleasant digestive system problems, such as diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. Research conducted in 2022 proved that an hour’s walk in nature, away from the hustle and bustle and noise, reduces blood pressure and, therefore, reduces the likelihood of a stroke or heart attack.
Silent walks as mindfulness training
The key to reaping the benefits of silent walking is to make walking in silence a more conscious experience. While walking, pay attention to various small and seemingly insignificant details, for example the ground you are walking on, the color of the sky above your head, the landscape around you.
“All these little things are an important part of mindfulness training, which involves paying attention to what’s going on around us. Focus on the here and now instead of thinking about work, family or future worries,” advises psychotherapist Holly Hannigan.
