I use up way more of my journalistic time than I’d like slamming and damning the misleading (and sometimes downright nonsensical) wellness trends I see on TikTok.<\/p>\n
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It can often feel like a relentless game of Whack-A-Mole \u2014 just when you think one has finally gone, another one springs up from nowhere.<\/p>\n
But color walking? I\u2019m actually totally sold, to be honest. Here\u2019s what I learned from the TikTok color walking trend<\/a> \u2014 and why you may benefit from trying it, too.<\/p>\n What is ‘color walking’?<\/p>\n (Image credit: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n The color walking technique is a great way to engage in National Walking Month, and because the benefits of walking are extensive, who wouldn\u2019t want to find more ways to make it more interesting, too?<\/p>\n Dale Orton, head of photo culture and quality at nature-inspired photography company CEWE<\/a>, who champions walking in nature, says:<\/p>\n \u201cColor walking is similar to many mindfulness practices<\/a> and grounding techniques, such as deep breathing,<\/a> naming categories and the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory experience, which aim to ease anxiety and help you feel more aware of your surroundings. These techniques help to anchor your thoughts and bring you back to the present moment.\u201d<\/p>\n He adds that you can experience the same effect with color walking \u2014 simply focus on a specific color while you walk to draw attention away from overthinking or distractions.<\/p>\n \u201cIt also trains your eyes to notice the small details, which heightens sensory awareness,\u201d he says. \u201cEqually, we know that taking photos of nature can also help focus the mind, so combining your color walking and stopping to take photos can have double the benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n Top 5 tips for color walking<\/p>\n Orton suggests five tips if you plan to color walk.<\/p>\n Does ‘color walking’ actually work? Here\u2019s what happened when I tried it<\/p>\n Here are a few things I noticed besides colors.<\/p>\n I loved it<\/p>\n (Image credit: Getty images)<\/p>\n Given that I was heading to my local park for this exercise, I decided not to go with green \u2014 my initial intention. Instead, I chose a color I\u2019d have to look harder to find, which I thought could help improve my focus and prevent distractions. I landed on blue.<\/p>\n Those walking near me probably wondered why I was standing in a field staring at the sky, but hey, we move. First, I watched how the clouds moved and interacted with the blue sky tucked away behind them; I felt\u2026peaceful. Like the feeling after a big exhale when you\u2019ve been holding your breath.<\/p>\n I then walked around and looked for other blues that were less obvious \u2014 the color of a T-shirt (warning, don\u2019t stare at people for longer than is socially acceptable) or the orange and blue of a ball clutched between the spit-slick jaws of a panting puppy.<\/p>\n It made me present in the moment and feel calmer in my mind.<\/p>\n I enjoyed my walk more \u2014 and walked for longer <\/p>\n I get it, we don’t all have time for long or leisurely walks whenever we feel like it, but you can benefit from even just 10 minutes of color walking.<\/p>\n This wasn\u2019t a step tracking exercise, so I switched my phone to silent (a bit like when I tried silent walking<\/a>), took out my earphones and removed my Apple Watch.<\/p>\n Free from my self-imposed tech shackles, I explored and spent longer walking (and observing) than I would have done if I\u2019d dutifully trotted out my regular walking route.<\/p>\n Naturally, and without checking, I\u2019m pretty sure I clocked up more steps. But that\u2019s not the point. Instead of going through the rhythms of my daily routine, I was actually noticing things for the first time, and I found it very soothing and enjoyable.<\/p>\n I switched off \u2014 for once<\/p>\n With my tech switched off, I could switch off.<\/p>\n Anyone who knows me knows that I am chaotic by my very nature \u2014 a 5’2″ hurricane of clumsy golden retriever energy and topic-hopping chat. I\u2019ve also, and I know many people can relate, had a bit of a tough start to the year.<\/p>\n During these mentally trickier months, my daily walks have been less about the physical benefits (hello rucking<\/a>) and more about building mental stamina<\/a> and finding some peace of mind.<\/p>\n And so for once, I found myself genuinely relaxing and switching off my brain. Not for long \u2014 the worries and anxieties of the day ahead would still creep in, but just before I began floating off toward them, I\u2019d then refocus my brain on the color blue and find myself re-anchored and tethered.<\/p>\n I haven\u2019t found many of these mindfulness exercises work for me in life \u2014 if someone recommends \u201ctraditional\u201d meditation to me again, I won\u2019t be held responsible for my actions \u2014 but this one did.<\/p>\n I enjoyed seeking out the color, observing how it interacted with its surroundings, then panning out to the object itself, how it moved, or how things moved around it.<\/p>\n Simple, free to do and endlessly meditative. Tick, tick, tick.<\/p>\n My verdict <\/p>\n (Image credit: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n I honestly believe there are benefits for everyone with color walking, and it\u2019s a wellness trend I finally don\u2019t mind TikTok blowing up. If, for whatever reason, colors don\u2019t work for you, I recommend trying sounds instead. Try to choose one beforehand \u2014 like bird song \u2014 and listen for it wherever you go.<\/p>\n If you fancy entering a trance-like state the next time you go walking, try a color walk. Trust me!<\/p>\n More from Tom’s Guide<\/p>\n Today’s deals on gym bags<\/p>\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2fhTYwfK77zQKmwAySzFCn.jpg\")
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