Why There's A Lot To Love About A Hot Girl Walk

In the era of #OffDutyModel and the #ThatGirl aesthetic, it should come as no surprise that there's another new TikTok trend sweeping the internet. But before you go rolling your eyes or counting this latest trend off as another passing phase, you should take a moment to learn more about the wellness trend everyone is talking about: the hot girl walk. "I've been loving this trend as it's been getting my clients up and out of the house and promoting the benefits of body movement for mental health," therapist Divya Robin tells PopSugar. "[Hot girl walks] give people a time to focus inward on their goals, values, and the person they want to be — versus who they often are when they are running on autopilot daily."

#HotGirlWalk first started gaining popularity in 2020 and has been growing steadily in influence over the last two years. With over 422 million views on TikTok, there's no denying the reach and impact this trend has (and will continue to have). So, what exactly is a hot girl walk, and how exactly is it different from a regular walk? 

Aside from truly being a state of mind, the hot girl walk is a daily act of self-care. The hot girl walk is equal parts daily exercise, spiritual detox, and a rebellious act of self-love. It's a chance to put on a cute outfit, listen to your favorite music, and get out of the house to breathe in some fresh air. As one Twitter user put it, the hot girl walk occupies another dimension where the hot girl in question is inaccessible and simply can't be bothered with the stress of daily life. She's just here for the vibe.

And what makes the hot girl walk trendy so popular is that you don't have to be a literal "hot girl" to embody the hot girl spirit. In fact, experts agree that a daily walk is beneficial for almost anyone to incorporate into their routine. "Getting out of the house and getting some fresh air can help improve your mental health," fitness coach Lucy Arnold tells Stylist. "Getting the heart pumping, fresh air and some scenery can be just what you need to help clear your mind and help you think." So, no matter how you identify, you, too, can be the resident "hot girl walker" of your neighborhood by embracing your inner confidence and shine.

In order to understand the true spirit of the hot girl walk, it's best to go to the source: lifestyle influencer Mia Lind, who is credited for coining the phrase when her videos began going viral on TikTok. As she explains it, the hot girl walk is a daily four-mile walk in the fresh air where you spend your time listening to an inspirational podcast or an uplifting and energetic playlist. At its core, the hot girl walk is a wellness routine that focuses on fitness, self-reflection, and building your confidence. "A lot of people are thinking that the hot girl walk is about weight loss, but it's not. The biggest transformations are the ones that start internally," explained Lind in a viral TikTok video.

Not only does the hot girl walk have a positive impact on your daily health but experts also point out that it can also significantly improve your mood over time. "Gentle movement by taking a walk, gratitude, reflection, setting concrete goals and thinking about how you're going to get there and then self-affirmation, [these things] have been shown to have a significant positive impact on mental health," Dr. Alice Connors-Kellgren tells NBC Boston. So, whether you like a quick lap around the neighborhood before work or you prefer to bring your furry friend along with you, the hot girl walk is truly whatever you choose to make it — and there are plenty of ways to keep your hot girl walk from becoming boring.