Stress relief is calling.
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| | | | I've always gone for walks with my AirPods in — tuning out the world and tuning into my favorite songs on full blast. That's still all well and good, but I recently started taking "silent" walks around my neighborhood, and they've been a new way to enjoy exercising while spending time in nature. | | What's a silent walk? Glad you asked! Let's talk more about them and how they can help you be more mindful below. | | | | Be well,
Morgan Mandriota,
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Morgan Mandriota
May 29, 2024 • 3 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Silent walks are my new favorite activity | | We all know that walking is good for us — it can burn calories, improve sleep, reduce heart disease risk, and support healthy aging. But silent walks can be especially great for your mental health! The goal is to immerse yourself in the present moment wherever you are — without any distractions like music or a podcast coming from your phone.️ | | Experts suggest that silent walks can counteract the stresses of daily living, and people all over TikTok are raving about how beneficial this practice is for them. I'm one of those people who can vouch for how wonderful they are!️️ | | I sit in front of a laptop every day for work, unwind after work by plopping on the couch and scrolling through Instagram, then watch TV in bed before falling asleep every night. Going for silent walks helps me get active, unplug, and tap into my surroundings.️ | | Instead of paying attention to the music in my ears, it's really nice to shift my focus to nature — soaking up some sunshine, listening to the birds, and admiring the flowers blooming throughout the neighborhood! I feel like I can think more clearly once I'm home, and I'm much more relaxed than before I left, which I attribute to that mindfulness element.️ | | If you decide to give it a whirl, here's how to tap into your senses to get the most out of the experience:️ | - Try to notice the feeling of the ground beneath your feet as you walk.
- Look up at the sky — its color, shapes of clouds, those rainbow squiggly things.
- Focus on your breath, and try to feel your heart rate.
- Dismiss distracting thoughts that might pop up and pull you out of the present moment.
- Take note of any smells — flowers, barbecues, fresh-cut grass.
- Appreciate your surroundings, whatever they may be.
Going for a walk with or without headphones — or moving your body in any way — is great. But lately, I've been loving the silence and presence more than listening to my favorite songs. If you could use an extra mindfulness practice in your life, I highly recommend going for a silent walk soon. | | | | | | | |
| | | | Soak and soothe | | | | | | |  | | Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt Bath | | For centuries, people have been using Epsom salt to remedy electrolyte imbalances, constipation, muscle soreness, and other health issues. I've been adding Dr. Teal's lavender salt to baths for a couple of years now, and it really helps calm me down and relieve my aching body. This two-pack comes with two soothing scents — lavender and eucalyptus! | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Thanks for reading. I'll be back in your inbox one more time this week before we head into the weekend. See you then.
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