How does walking help with creativity?

A new study from Stanford found a strong association between walking and creativity.

Several earlier researches have pointed out that aerobic exercises aid in protecting long-term cognitive function. Emerging research suggests that walking outdoors as well as indoors on a treadmill has similar benefits in boosting your creative thinking.

The Stanford study reported that participants found an increase in their creative output by 60% when they were walking. This association of walking with creative thinking could be linked to increased awareness and reduced distractions. Creativity begins to flow, when you put the gadgets down, eliminate distractions and embrace a state of ‘mouna‘ or silence.

Also Read: Research says creativity blinks in the Bathroom

Walking and creativity – Walk the Talk of Famous People

Research suggests creative juices continue to flow through your brain during and after a walk. 

Many highly successful people have attributed their creativity to the power of a walk. Charles Dickens said that he walked for about 30 miles a day while thinking about his writing. This has played a major role in bringing the best ideas to life.

Walking has always been a favourite tool to boost creative thinking since time immemorial.

Aristotle, the great philosopher had this habit of walking and talking.

Beethoven went for long walks after lunch. He also carried a pencil and paper to note musical thoughts.

In modern times, Steve Jobs made walking meetings a popular thing. He preferred having serious conversations on long walks. And it is no secret how creative Apple Inc. has always been when it comes to its product, marketing or management.

In addition to these, Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, and Socrates are all habitual walkers. All of these people made walking a part of their daily life. They went for 45 to 60 minutes of walking every day to refine their thoughts and to bring ideas to life.

Thus, the association between walking and creativity is proven by many such famous testimonials.

Also Read: Different people have different reasons for walking

Walking and creativity: 6 things you must know

Creativity is one tiny beam that can spark anytime. People create blockbuster scenes in the bathroom. Some find solutions to their problems in their sleep. Some find the answers in meditation. Different people find their creative spark in different ways.

One scientifically proven path to creativity is the morning walk. Here is how the simple serenity of a morning walk can light up your creative mind:

Infographic – Walking and Creativity – How walking boosts creativity?

1. Creativity carves silence

A chaotic mind is the biggest foe of creative thinking.

Going on long strolls can give you the time and space that inspires the free flow of your thoughts. While walking you step away from distractions and noise. You can think about the current problems or challenges from a new perspective. This helps in getting new ideas.

Also Read: Creativity Blinks in the Bathroom

2. Walking calms the mind

Studies show that regular walking is an excellent mental exercise. It can help beat anxiety, fight depression and promote calmness. And as the Vedas say, calmness works like a mirror that reflects the best ideas. As written in the Bhagvad Gita, your personal excellence happens when you are still and silent inwardly.

Also Read: Walking Meditation

3. Bust Stress, boost creativity

Stress can effectively block your mind and clog the space for creative thinking. Walking in the morning releases happy hormones that act as stress busters. It relaxes your body and calms your mind. As the worries of stress vacate the space you get room for creative thinking.

4. Get inspired by nature

In Japanese, there is a term called shinrin-yoku which means forest bathing. Forest bathing is the concept of walking through lush green forests to relieve stress and improve health. This concept gained wide popularity when researchers found the mental and physical benefits of forest bathing. Shinrin-Yoku not only improves your well-being but also helps in boosting your creativity.

5. Refocus and reflect

Going for a morning walk is an excellent way to refocus your energy, reflect on your actions, and see the way ahead. This brings clarity to your thoughts and gives you a better perspective. When your mind is clear, still, and free of chaos, creative ideas flow from all directions. That’s why many successful people never skip their morning walk.

6. The biological movement effect

Several studies have shown that walking exercises are very instrumental in the prevention of cognitive decline. Walking increases blood flow to the brain, and boosts the release of endorphins, and neurotransmitters that boost your mental health. Being in a pleasant mood is also very important to promote creative thinking.

Also Read: Changing your walk can change your life

A few tips to make your morning walk session more creative

1. Avoid going in groups. Walking in a group creates distractions blocking the mind from thinking.
2. Don’t put on your fancy headphones with the lousiest music. 
3. Don’t be intimidated by your thoughts, let them flow freely.
4. Try going early in the morning. The quieter the better.
5. Carry a bottle of water. 
6. Relax and enjoy the moment.

Studies have shown that morning walks can enhance creativity by:

1. Boosting brain function: A morning walk increases blood flow to the brain, improving cognitive function and creativity.
2. Increasing mindfulness: Walking in nature or a quiet environment can help clear the mind and increase mindfulness, which can lead to enhanced creative thinking.
3. Providing time for reflection: The solitude and calm of a morning walk can provide time for quiet reflection and ideation, which can lead to breakthrough creative ideas.
4. Reducing stress: Morning walks can reduce stress levels, which has been linked to increased creativity and productivity.

Overall, the combination of physical activity, fresh air, and quiet reflection can be a powerful boost to creativity and ideation.

Conclusion: Morning Walk and Creativity

Several researchers have quoted that flow brings transient hypofrontality. It induces a state of mind that allows you to lose your sense of self. This lightens your mind and allows your thoughts to come alive. For millenniums, creative people have leveraged this secret hack to boost their creativity.

Whether you are working in a creative field or you are managing a big firm, creative ideas can bring you new breakthroughs. So, go for a morning walk, take long strolls in the forest, or just run on that treadmill to give your brain a good boost!