Something I’ve learned about myself over the years is that sitting still isn’t optimal for me to really de-stress. When we think about relieving stress, we imagine laying down, reading a book or watching tv. While I love a good binge-watch session as much as the next person, it’s really not my best option when I’m truly feeling overwhelmed. When my Canvas to-do list overflows and my Google Calendar is looking packed, sitting does nothing but let my anxieties further fester.
What I’ve discovered about myself is that I feel much more relieved and refreshed when I get up and do something to take my mind off the stress. This combined with the desire to be generally more active has led me to my new favorite past-time: hot girl walks.
You might be wondering, what is a hot girl walk? What makes this any different than a standard walk? It’s all about your intentions and mindset. Tik Tok User @exactlyliketheothergirls (who dubbed the term) says you’re only allowed to think about three things on a hot girl walk: “your goals, things you’re grateful for and of course how hot you are.”
While my personal criteria are a bit different, the intentions are all the same. My hot girl walks are chances for me to clear my mind. Sometimes, my head gets so jumbled with all I have to do for school, clubs and life in general. It’s really easy to start to feel weighed down with obligations. To me, my walks are designated times for me and only me. Worries get shoved to the side for a while, so it’s just me and whatever playlist I’ve chosen to listen to that day.
The physical benefits are also so real. A while ago, I realized just how much time in a day I spend sitting. For fellow students who also spend hours hunched over a laptop, staring at Google Docs, you can probably relate. It sounds cliche, but our bodies really do need to move. We weren’t built to sit stationary in a cubicle at The Study, skimming required readings and chugging cold brew for hours on end.
While a lot of the time people associate physical activity with trying to lose weight, that doesn’t have to be the objective for everyone. I promise, it just feels good to get your heart rate up a little. After my walks, I feel so much more energized and motivated to take on the next task. At the end of the day, these walks are about making YOU feel good.
So how does one go on a hot girl walk? It’s simple: put on some comfortable clothes and sneakers (a random oversized t-shirt is a totally valid option) and go. I never walk without listening to something, be it music or a podcast. As for my route, I often just see where the walk takes me. I frequently walk to Westwood (and grab a coffee while I’m at it) or just do a loop around campus.
Amidst busy schedules, it can feel like a chore to fit exercise and me-time into our days. Through my hot girl walks, I manage to fit both in at once. Whether your walks take you off campus or just around the hill, let’s unwind and get those steps up!