The new trend is called silent walking, and here’s everything you need to know about it as it promises to calm racing minds and stressed bodies.

It’s yet another trend taking over TikTok, after soft hiking, hot girl walk, and 12-3-30, which boosts mental health benefits.

What is silent walking?

It’s pretty self-explanatory: you walk, but only with the sound of your footsteps. Yes, you read that right – it’s walking, but not as we know it. In direct contrast to the hot girl walk, where the headphones are blaring, there’s no music here, no conversation – not even a podcast to keep you company.

What, no headphones? Yes – that’s the whole point.

Helen Garlick’s ‘writing retreats’ always include a silent walking activity, with participants encouraged to focus on what they can hear, smell, see and feel.

“For me, it’s a form of mindful walking – a personal and practical way to relax and help me be present in the now,” she tells Stylist. “Silent walking helps me feel much more connected and attuned to my surroundings.”

Flora Harris, sportswear and swimwear buyer at Pour Moi, is another fan of the silent walk. “For a lot of Gen Zs and millennials that can be pretty scary,” he acknowledges. “We’re very attached to our headphones, but the benefits of canceling out ambient noise can be significant.”

What are the benefits of the silent walking trend?

We are well aware of the mental and physical health benefits of walking, and silent walking includes everything from improving cardiovascular health to increasing lifespan and more. But it comes with the added mental health boost of silence.

In an increasingly noisy world, the power of silence is often overlooked. However, studies show that even just two minutes of silence significantly lowers heart rate and blood pressure, while noisy environments increase levels of the stress hormone (cortisol) and make it harder for us to concentrate.

And sure enough, TikTok agrees, with fans of the trend commenting that walking silently helps them solve problems and boosts their creativity. The argument is that instead of being bombarded with stimuli, silent walks mean our brains can focus and be less distracted.

“Leaving technology behind and walking in silence enables you to drop into a deeper level of consciousness,” says Garlick. “It also allows us to tune into our creative and instinctive selves, which are so often drowned out in everyday life.”

How to get started with silent walking

It really can be as simple as tying up your shoelaces and leaving the house – without your headphones. You should know that if you are not used to silence, it may feel a little strange at first.

These rides may be longer – but that’s okay

“Without the distractions you’re used to, it’s likely that your regular walk will be longer,” says Harris. “This is completely normal and over time you will get used to the feeling of not being distracted. If at first, you find that you feel bored, then try to shorten your walks a bit and then increase your distance again after you are used to walking in silence.”

“I’m addicted to my headphones. How can I enjoy a silent walk?’

The key here is to test the trend first by taking small steps

“If the thought of going outside without your headphones fills you with dread, then it can be easy to put off your silent walk,” admits Harris. “To make the prospect more appealing, set yourself a bigger challenge when you start. For example, it could be walking for a certain amount of time or doing a certain number of laps in your favorite park. The key is to make sure it’s shorter than a walk you’d normally take so it’s more manageable.”

Change your route to keep things interesting

Without your favorite podcast or playlist, you might worry about getting bored on your walk. But being bored won’t hurt you – and it might even be good for your brain. Neuroscientists extol the brain-healthy virtues of boredom, believing it boosts creativity and improves social connections.

And if you are bored, rest assured that this is the point! This shows that you are disconnected from external stimuli. Follow it and make sure you take a different route each time you go as this will help keep you motivated.