Health Benefits Of TikTok's 'Silly Little Walk' Trend
A new exercise trend called the "silly little walk" is going viral on TikTok and encouraging people to go outside and take a walk. While going on a walk to benefit your health is hardly a revolutionary idea, this trend may be beneficial for people who have gotten used to staying at home and being cooped up inside all day and have neglected to spend time outside and get in some regular exercise (via Bustle).
The "silly little walk" trend, however, gives people a great excuse to take a break and head outside for some fresh air. It's even better if you can get in some social interaction and take a walk with a friend or loved one. According to certified personal trainer Elyse Valdes, this can have an important impact on your mental and physical health. "There's nothing like those 30 minutes of movement, fresh air, sunshine, and quality time with each other," Valdes told Bustle.
Can the trend improve your health?
As it turns out, going on a "silly little walk" can help you stay active and improve your overall physical health. Since walking is an aerobic exercise, it can help you burn calories, reduce your risk of illness, and promote cardiovascular health (via Eat This, Not That). It can also help increase your energy levels, improve your balance and coordination, and reduce your risk of cognitive decline. In addition, taking a walk outside can even help boost your mental health. That's because walking can help relieve stress and anxiety.
In fact, research has shown that walking is linked to a reduction in symptoms of depression. According to a 2015 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, participants who walked outside in nature for 90 minutes a day experienced less activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex — the area of the brain linked to one's risk for mental illness.
With all of this in mind, experts recommend going for a walk outside whenever you can, ideally at least a couple of times per day, for about 10 to 30 minutes at a time (via Bustle).