Writers have advocated going for a walk to relieve writers block for years but there was no solid evidence that this actually worked – until now.
A new study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience has demonstrated that exercising regularly really does help us to become more creative and that there is a direct link between our physical selves and our creative minds.
The study revealed that people who exercised four times per week were able to think more creatively in a series of tests, than those who experienced a more sedate lifestyle, proving scientifically what we have long believed anecdotally – that moving helps us think better.
In relation specifically to creative thinking, the researchers observed that exercising regularly was connected with better divergent and convergent thoughts – these are the two elements of creative thinking. They involve thinking either about many solutions for a single problem, or thinking of a single solution for a particular problem.
Other studies have shown that small amounts of exercise are able to produce long periods of better creative thought. Around half an hour of aerobic exercise can improve creativity and the effects last for about two hours afterwards.
However, there is a downside – while this effect was seen in athletes and physically fit people, for those who were unfit, the fatigue experienced from unaccustomed exercising actually negates the creative boost so the effect is not the same. This would obviously change the fitter someone becomes.
In another paper, reviews were carried out of the results of more than 200 studies taken place over decades and they all proved that long term exercise can have a positive impact on brain function, including creativity. The studies reviewed looked at all kinds of brain functions and all kinds of exercise, comparing the results for each area, but all found that long term exercise was the key.
However as creativity is a much desired thought process, and plays a vital role in human development and organisational success, research was also carried out into the specific relationship between exercise and how it can be good for increased creativity. Research in this specific cognitive function has always found a direct link between physical exercise and creative thought. Studies in the seventies demonstrated that even small amounts of aerobic exercises such as dancing, had significant impact on people’s creative processes.
So, besides dancing, what other forms of exercise are good for improving creative thought processes? While aerobic dancing appears to be the key, the environment is also an important factor in encouraging creativity.
A paper published recently in the research journal PLOS ONE, showed that one of the keys is engaging in exercise outside, in the natural environment away from technology and other distractions. The paper proved that running on a treadmill indoors did not have the same impact on creativity as actually running outside in the fresh air. The researchers found that the natural environment also has a stimulating effect on our brains and helps to attract our attention in a calm way rather than the demanding and overloading impact which technology has on our minds.
The paper also showed that the best type of exercise to undertake is low impact, so routines such as downhill skiing, gentle cycling and running. Any exercise which requires attention and focus detracts somewhat from the creative thought.
Other physical approaches have also been proven to help cognitive function, for example, many athletes undertake regular sports massage to help get themselves motivated and in the right frame of mind before undertaking a major competition. The key seems to be switching off the mind and being gentle with the body to allow the creative inspiration to flow.
So, over 200 studies have proven that exercise can help boost creativity and that the best type of exercise to undertake is something gentle and preferably outdoors, to get the brain cells working, and it is most effective on people who are already fit.
The effects only last for around two hours after the exercise has taken place, so make sure you take your Dictaphone out with you so you can record your creative ideas while out jogging, or keep a pen and notepad handy so you can write down your thoughts and ideas while out cycling in the local park.
The next time you suffer from writer’s block, or need an idea for a business problem at work, just pop outside for a quick walk round the area and let the ideas come to you.
Check out this video ‘Active bodies think more deeply’ from Leiden University for more information:
References:
journal.frontiersin.org
lifehacker.com
tandfonline.com
For more information on Melissa’s sports massage work check out her website