Take a Walk

I talk a lot about taking a walk when creativity lags and you’re not sure what to write next. So, I was pretty happy to discover that research backs me up on this.  

Walking:

• Boosts the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, which in turn boosts creativity and idea production.
• Helps produce new brain cells by stimulating the release of a protein known as the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
• Reduces stress levels, especially when outdoors in nature, by shifting the brain into a state of relaxation.
• Increases the health of brain tissue as well as the size of the hippocampus, the region that tends to shrink in our later years.
• Heightens mood. It also raises our levels of vitamin D, which almost half of Americans don’t have enough of, and that further boosts the production of serotonin, which further elevates our mood.

I don’t know about you, but I tend to write more—and better—when I’m feeling good and have a solid sense of where I’m taking my ideas. If I’m trying to work out a writing problem and then head out to take a walk, I’ll wind up whipping out my phone and dictating notes to myself. My pups are so used to this by now that they don’t even raise an eyebrow or break stride.

Sometimes I realize that I’m actually writing the chapter or blog post in my head when I take a walk. Again, time to grab the phone and record my ideas. I know myself too well to assume that I’m going to remember. I won’t. And I’m betting that you won’t either. We all have built-in recorders these days. Even calling yourself and leaving a message works.

But what really works? Convincing yourself to pull away from your desk and take a walk.

So, the next time you’re experiencing a dearth of creativity, lace up your sneakers and head outside for a brisk, inspiring walk. Whether you spark some ideas or just return feeling happier and healthier, deciding to take a walk is a winning formula.