Imagine this: You’re sitting at your desk, struggling to come up with a solution for a work problem or to untangle a personal issue. It feels like your brain is stuck. Instead of drowning in despair, the answer you’ve been seeking could be one simple action away: going for a walk. Research has shown that walking can almost instantly boost your brainpower and help you channel your creativity.
##The connection between walking and creativity
You’ve probably heard people mention how they come up with their best ideas while walking. That’s not just a convenient excuse to take breaks. Believe it or not, science backs up this claim. A study involving over 170 people discovered that walking led to increased creativity.
There have been many studies demonstrating that aerobic exercise can benefit the brain, but this particular research focused specifically on walking and how it enhances various thinking modes momentarily. The results? More freely flowing ideas, breaking free from the cycle of getting stuck in your thoughts while sitting down.
A 30-minute run might not be the most appealing prescription for most people who want to improve their creativity at work, which is why researchers wanted to investigate the effects of a simple walk on creativity. Turns out, it does the trick.
Among study participants tested for creativity while walking, astonishingly, 100% of them generated more creative ideas in one test. In the subsequent experiments, 95%, 88%, and 81% of the walkers were able to come up with more creative responses than they could while sitting.
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###Health benefits of walking
Walking doesn’t just boost creativity. It is an incredibly beneficial activity for your overall health as well. Some of the numerous health benefits of walking include:
- Improved heart health: The American Heart Association recommends walking for at least 30 minutes a day to reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Supports weight loss: Combining a healthy diet with walking can help you shed those extra pounds.
- Enhanced mental wellbeing: Walking can improve your mood, decrease stress levels, and help manage symptoms of anxiety and depression.
###How walking enhances your brainpower
When it comes to the connection between walking and brainpower, researchers believe that the increased blood flow to the brain during the activity might be responsible for enhancing cognitive function. Studies have also shown that walking can help the brain produce more neurons, which are the cells responsible for transmitting information throughout your nervous system. Furthermore, walking can lower the risk of dementia in older adults, according to the Alzheimer’s Society.
###Tips to incorporate walking into your daily routine
A walk outside, even a short one, could be the key to unlocking your creativity and cognitive potential. Here are some easy ways to incorporate walking into your daily routine:
- Take breaks during the workday: Instead of turning to social media or your smartphone, go for a short walk during your break.
- Walk while talking on the phone: This can turn otherwise sedentary conversations into a time of physical activity.
- Walk after meals: Strolls after meals can help improve digestion and regulate blood sugar levels.
- Try walking meetings: If the weather is nice and the meeting doesn’t require an extensive setup, try conducting it while walking instead of sitting.
###Final thoughts
Walking isn’t just good for your physical health; it’s also an excellent way to boost your brainpower and channel your creativity. The next time you find yourself struggling to come up with a solution or overcome a mental obstacle, consider stepping away from your desk and going for a walk. Chances are, you might just come back with a fresh perspective and newfound clarity.
