How Your 'Hot Girl Walk' Benefits You and the Planet

Written by

Samantha Bailon

Published

If you’ve been anywhere near social media over the past year, you’ve likely heard of the “Hot Girl Walk.” Introduced in 2021 by TikTok influencer Mia Lind, the hashtag #hotgirlwalk has now generated more than 426 million views, along with myriad videos featuring people of all ages partaking in the trend.

The mission is simple: Opt for a long, leisurely stroll and enjoy the health and wellness benefits that come along with it. Not only are you getting your recommended 10,000 daily steps in—the better to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and sleep—you’re also providing yourself with an opportunity for some moving meditation, prompting stress and tension to melt away.

Look at that flower! Smile at that passing dog (or even its owner)! Feel the breeze!

Hot Girl Walks come with sustainability benefits, too. From slowing down in all of the ways to staying (and shopping) local, the trend is a study in simple, accessible sustainability. First, grab your Hot Girl Walk essentials—fanny packs, eco-friendly sunscreen, and beyond. Then learn three ways your #hotgirlwalk serves you and the planet.

How Your Hot Girl Walk Helps

1. You’re More Mindful of Your Surroundings

A walk demands that you slow down and observe the world around you. Quiet your pace and really look around. What plants are in bloom? Do your neighbors have outdoor art or a Little Free Library? How many cats can you count?

Whether you live in the suburbs or the city, there is plenty to see if you take the time to see it—a bought of Hot Girl Walks may shift your entire perspective.

2. A Chance to Support Local Business

Who says your Hot Girl Walk can’t have a final destination? Stroll toward your favorite thrift shop, farmers' market, or that new area business or restaurant.

Opting to limit your journey to one that can be taken by foot can increase your appreciation for the hyper-local, a must for a more sustainable future. And given that the EPA found that transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions—27% of the total output—your stroll is helping the environment in more ways than one.

3. Enjoy a Simple, Sustainable Break

According to Michelle Kondo, a research social scientist with the USDA Forest Service's Northern Research Station, time spent near green spaces can positively impact motivation, physical and mental health, and community wellness.

In short, a jaunt to your neighborhood park matters, and is a sustainable habit to embrace. Clearing your mind doesn’t have to come courtesy of a far-flung getaway—the answers can be found in your own backyard.