Silent Walking: A Meditative Practice that Benefits You
It helps you to ground yourself by avoiding all distraction
It is walking without distractions — listening to music or speaking on the phone.
When we are sad, we take help from outside. We either talk to friends or watch podcasts. There is an alternative to these companions.
It is you.
You hear you in silence.
And, silent walking is an opportunity to do that.
Below are a few benefits that might help you.
1. Clarity of thought
Yesterday, I was sad. I did not find any motivation to write. I dream about becoming a writer someday. But yesterday, I did not find the motivation to write.
I thought to speak to someone. But then I thought how I was feeling.
So, I owned my feelings and headed for a silent walk.
I came across this article that talks about silent walking.
After 20 minutes of walking without any distractions, all my sadness magically flew away.
What does science say about it?
“The idea of silent walking in nature is very reminiscent of a practice in the mindfulness meditation tradition of mindful walking, or walking meditation,” said Rael Cahn, Ph.D., MD, clinical associate professor with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Silent walking brings the brain out of the default mode network, where the brain is ruminating about past experiences, imagining the future, or daydreaming.
It helps you to be in the present moment and reduce depression and anxiety.
2. Mindfulness
“The silent walking practice provides a route to inner calm and mental health, which has its roots in mindfulness and meditation.”
-says Dr Chandni Tugnait is M.D. (Alternative Medicines), Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Business Coach, NLP Expert, Healer, Founder & Director — Gateway of Healing.
It helps to be fully in the present and bring all your focus on yourself. The world is noisy. Even if you are alone, the silent noise from the mobile notifications triggers unnecessary emotions within you. So, it becomes necessary to carve out a dedicated time to bring silence to your mind. Silent walking is an opportunity. Grab it!
3. Stress release
When you focus on yourself and have clarity of thought, stress cannot live within you.
Science says physical activity helps to increase endorphin production — the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters.
Whenever you feel disappointed, go for a walk.
You will feel the magic.
4. Better mood
When you silently walk, no external influence enters your system.
It anyways keeps your mood stable, if not improves.
As I grow old, I am peaceful when I don’t talk to people.
Science says walking increases blood flow in your body and brain. It has a positive impact on your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. It’s the central nervous system.
You don’t have to run a marathon to feel good. Start with 10–20 minutes of silent walking a couple of days a week.
Closing thoughts
Scrolling mobile has become part of our lives. We don’t realize how it impacts our thoughts, mood, and sleep.
When you feel anxiety or have racing thoughts, go for a silent walk.
It benefits you in the following ways.
- Clarity of thoughts
- Mindfulness
- Stress release
- Better mood
Silence brings your soul close to yourself.
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and rightdoing there is a field.
I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass
the world is too full to talk about.”
― Rumi
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