Stuck for ideas? Here's how to give your ideas legs.

I am a big believer in walking as a form of activity and exercise. The evidence links it to improved physical and mental wellbeing, but I also like that it’s relatively kind to the body and can often be sustained well into later life.

Another thing I like about walking concerns its impact on thinking. I have noticed that when faced with an issue that requires creativity, I am usually better off taking a walk than mulling it over at my desk.

I have noticed that not just me but others, too, find that getting out of the office and a change of environment help revitalise and stimulate thinking. I’ve met lots of people who have experienced flashes of inspiration while out walking that they may well not have had while staring at their laptop screen or navel.

This phenomenon has some scientific backing, too. In one study, the impact of walking on creative thinking was assessed [1]. The study consisted of four separate experiments, each of which tested creative thinking (e.g., alternative uses of an object, such as a button or a car tyre) in specific settings, such as sitting, walking, or immediately after walking. Walking both inside (e.g. on a treadmill) and outside) was assessed.

The results showed that creative thinking was significantly boosted during and immediately after walking. In one of the experiments, walking led to a 60 per cent rise in creativity. What is more, it did not seem to matter much whether the walking was performed indoors or outdoors – the benefits were much the same.

The authors of the study theorise about what it is about walking that enhances creativity. They suggest the movement per se is not the most potent factor, as benefits appear to persist even after someone is seated after walking. They suggest that improvements in circulation or chemical changes may be involved, or perhaps it’s a by-product of the mood-enhancing effects of activity.

Another suggestion they make is that walking and thinking at the same time is a ‘dual task’ that allowed more creativity to ‘seep in’. But they dismiss this idea too, on the basis that when individuals were more ‘taxed’ in a distracting environment (outside), creativity was no better than when walking in a less taxing environment (inside).

So, when it comes to explaining the effect, there really were no clear answers from the authors. But there is no doubt about the overall findings of their work: when stuck for ideas, one simple thing that may help boost our inspiration and problem-solving is to get up and walk.

References:

1. Oppeezo M, et al. Give your ideas some legs: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking. J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn. 2014;40(4):1142-52