A new trend of young people battling stress by rediscovering beauty in their surroundings is sweeping through Chinese social media, amassing millions of views on platforms such as Douyin and Xiaohongshu.

ColorWalk, as it is called, involves participants selecting a specific color theme before heading out and then documenting everything that matches the chosen shade during a leisurely stroll through a neighborhood, or even during daily commuting.

Yang Zheng, 29, who works in the publishing industry in Qingdao, Shandong province, said the idea of ColorWalk had thrilling resonance when she first came across it on Douyin. "Whether one is experiencing cultural settings or passing through natural scenery, it's a great thing to share," she said.

A week ago, Yang started a Color-Walk sharing group on WeChat, which has since attracted about 45 members, mostly from Generation Z. Every evening, the group decides on a "Color of the Day" and members share photos matching the theme.

The activity is aimed at helping people rediscover amusement in their otherwise monotonous lives, she said, adding that it also helps participants unwind and relieve stress.

Yang cited her own example. A few days ago, when she got carsick on her way home from work, she remembered the day's ColorWalk theme and started looking for matches in the passing scenery outside the window.

"Quite unexpectedly, it slowly relieved my motion sickness. In addition, I also happened to notice things that I had barely noticed before," she said.

Hu, a 19-year-old university student in Lu'an, Anhui province, was drawn to ColorWalk as a natural extension of his love for documenting life.

"It lets me record my days in a more interesting way," he said, adding that the activity's core appeal lies in its ability to arouse people's love for life. "We usually overlook many small details in our everyday life, like say a fire hydrant, which becomes more visible during a Color Walk themed 'red'. It makes our ordinary feel a little extraordinary."

Xu Gaoyang, a psychotherapist at Beijing Anding Hospital of Capital Medical University, said the activity is a practical application of a psychological technique known as "grounding", which has two objectives — actively diverting attention and setting a small, controllable goal.

"Think of our mood as an airplane. When it hits turbulence, 'grounding' helps it land steadily. By fixing our attention on something in the external environment — in this case, a color — we can quickly anchor ourselves in the present moment, leading to a sense of stability and calm," he said.

Physiological effects

Xu noted that different colors can have varied physiological effects. Cooler tones, such as blue and green, tend to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, slowing heart rate and promoting relaxation. Warmer colors, such as red and orange, can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, boosting energy and alertness.

Choosing a theme color and engaging with one's surroundings provides a sense of control and self-care that is often more significant than the color itself, he said.

According to Xu, young people today experience a kind of "purpose fatigue", as they are inundated by achievement-oriented goals, career pressures and societal expectations. As a result, they are creating activities that seem purposeful, but at the same time are not very demanding and allow them the opportunity to relax, he added.

Wang Wenda, director of psychological health education at Xinhua College of Ningxia University, said these small goals and actions activate the brain's drive, and the sense of achievement from completing minor tasks helps alleviate feelings of powerlessness while enhancing self-efficacy.

The popularity of ColorWalk reflects a broader shift among young people, as it is a low-cost, easily accessible and achievable positive experience, Wang said.

"You don't have to wait for life to be perfect to allow yourself to feel good. You can use small actions to gain a sense of pleasure, relaxation and control. In an environment of intense competition and uncertainty, it allows people to carve out a small world of their own," he added.

Guo Yuhe contributed to this story.

zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn