Harnessing the Power of Walking for Creativity
In 2014, a team of Stanford researchers examined how creativity levels were impacted by walking. They conducted experiments with 176 participants that placed them in different situations:
• Walking on a treadmill facing a wall
• Walking outside
• Sitting inside facing a wall
• Sitting outside
In each situation, the participants were asked to complete a range of tasks that are typically used to measure creative thinking. For example, a test of “divergent thinking” asked the participants to come up with as many uses as possible for a set of objects.
The results were incredible:
Participants were dramatically more creative while walking than sitting. In fact, one group of participants who took back-to-back tests, first sitting inside and then walking inside on a treadmill, saw a 60% improvement in creative output while walking vs. sitting! Walking, indoors or outdoors, had a similar robust positive impact on creative thinking.
The authors concluded, “Many people anecdotally claim they do their best thinking when walking. We finally may be taking a step, or two, toward discovering why.” Many of history’s greatest thinkers, entrepreneurs, artists, and athletes have believed in the power of walking. It’s a simple, free tool we can all use to dramatically improve our lives. Schedule more walks into your weeks.
Simple challenge for all of you: Go for a 30-minute tech-free walk every single day this week.
- No Phone
- No Music
- No Podcast
- No Audiobooks
- No Articles
Just you, your thoughts, your gratitude, and the fresh air. It’s a simple reset that will unlock new creativity and shift your perspective.
"Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it."
Elevate Your Wellness Journey at Upgrade Labs Riverton
If a simple 30-minute walk can unlock such transformative benefits for your creativity and mental clarity, imagine what a comprehensive wellness approach can do for you at Upgrade Labs Riverton. Here, we’ve created a sanctuary that goes beyond conventional fitness regimes to offer you a holistic health experience tailored to meet your unique needs. Utilizing scientifically-proven methods and state-of-the-art technology, we offer a broad spectrum of services designed to elevate your physical health, sharpen your mental focus, and awaken your creative spirit. So why stop at walking? When it comes to wellbeing, aim for the very best. Let’s take that step together. Make your way to Upgrade Labs Riverton and discover the boundless possibilities that await you on your wellness journey.
This insightful blog was written by Sahil Bloom on twitter and shared here. Sahil is an expert on entrepreneurship, creating, investing & well-being. For more enriching content, be sure to follow him on Twitter at @SahilBloom.
