“Blue car. Blue recycling bin. Blue planter. Red door – that’s not blue. Blue paint on the street.”
These were the thoughts going through my mind on the recent Color Walk I went on. The only thoughts going through my mind.
What is a Color Walk? Why am I recommending it?
Let’s dive in!
Apparently, Color Walks have gone viral on social media lately. I don’t know why my algorithm is gatekeeping, but my social media reels never introduced this concept to me. I actually learned about it on the news, and thought: “That is something I have try!” So, I laced up my sneakers, grabbed my sunnies, and headed outside. (Well, after I waited for our 30-degree temps to turn back into beautiful 60s-70s!)
So, what is a Color Walk?
It’s where you pick a color, and go for a walk and look for things of that color in your surroundings while on your walk. It is mindfulness meets gentle fitness. Think of it as a walking meditation as it encourages your mind to let go of other thoughts (worries/anxieties/etc.) and focus on what you’re seeing around you (in the present!) with the added benefit of letting you get some sunshine. 😊
So, obviously by my earlier example, I chose the color blue. I told myself “you can say ‘sky’ once no matter how many times you notice the blue sky” and naïvely thought there wouldn’t be that much blue other than a few blue cars parked on the street. There were fewer blue cars than I anticipated, and more blue recycling bins than I’d thought (hooray for responsible recyclers in my neighborhood!) I was surprised by how many unexpected blue things I noticed as well, like some blue spray paint on the street, blue planters, and several decorative tiles with blue on them.
But more importantly, I was surprised that my mind was totally focused on looking for blue. I wasn’t having reeling thoughts of my to-do list, or that news a family member recently gave me, or the stressful situations of my life or loved ones’ lives. I wasn’t worrying about what I’m going to make for dinner, or how I’m going to “XYZ”… I was just looking for blue. And noticing a lot more colors and things in my surroundings as well!
And, I didn’t need music, podcasts, or other media that I’d usually use to distract my mind but inevitably leads to other thoughts. Am I saying there’s anything wrong with listening to media while on a walk or otherwise? Absolutely not! But sometimes we need to quiet our minds, not fill them with more noise.
So, if it’s not yet obvious: Why am I now recommending color walks?
Well, for one, you get all the benefits of walking: cardiovascular health, increased energy, increased immune function, stress management, weight management, etc. Two, you get some sun: increased energy levels, Vitamin D, improved mood and motivation, etc.
AND
You get the benefits of mindfulness: stress reduction, improved mood, reduced anxiety & depression, better sleep, better focus, improved memory; the list goes on!
What I like about a Color Walk is that it gives your mind something easy to focus on. If your new to, or struggle with regular meditation where you sit quietly and focus on breathing, a Color Walks can be a great introduction into a mindfulness practice! With a Color Walk, you’re not just trying to empty your mind, you’re focusing it on something specific. It’s easier to let go of anxious thoughts when you’re giving your mind somewhere specific to go – with something that is not only low stress, but enjoyable and beautiful. And you get a combo of mental and physical health benefits!
Some tips for your Color Walks:
Focus on easy walking – we’re not trying to run a marathon or win a race. We’re trying to notice things around us. Think about it as unfolding discovery and take your time!
When you notice a color, you can repeat it in your mind. I.e. “Blue letters on the license plate. Blue planter.” Try to notice the beauty or something unique about each color you spot.
Change up what color you’re looking for each time you go for a Color Walk.
Don’t forget practical safety like sunscreen, sunglasses, water, GPS, and being aware of your surroundings safety wise (look both ways before crossing the street) etc.
So what do you think? Are you ready to try a Color Walk? What color are you going to look for first?
If you give this a try, I’d love to talk with you about how you noticed it affecting your mental health! Feel free to reach out for an appointment.
Happy Color-Walking!
Kailee Rogers, LPC-Associate