Exercise boosts creative thinking of all kinds.
Want proof?
Michael, a retired corporate attorney, solves complicated problems while swimming.
Sarah, who manages public relations for a large communications firm, likes to have one-on-one meetings with her direct reports at the company gym.
And Lyndsey, a photographer, envisions herself opening her own business while meditating in yoga class.
There’s a growing body of scientific studies making the connection between exercise and creative thinking.
Walking is a good starting point, as great thinkers like Aristotle, Nietzsche and Thoreau observed. But strength training and balance work are essential, particularly after 50.
Walking Opens Up the Free Flow of Ideas
For example, in one study experts found participants who walked more saw an 81 percent rise in creative thinking on a key scale to measure divergent and convergent thinking, the two main components of creative thinking. One refers to our ability to think of multiple solutions to a problem, the other to thinking of just one.
“Moreover, when seated after walking, participants exhibited a residual creative boost,” wrote Marily Oppezzo and Daniel Schwartz of Stanford. The benefits come whether you’re walking indoors or outside, they said. “Walking opens up the free flow of ideas, and it is a simple and robust solution to the goals of increasing creativity and increasing physical activity.”
Brains Get Re-Vitalized
Beyond walking, your brain gets re-vitalized by bicycling, yoga, lifting weights, dancing, tai chi– whatever movement you choose. And people who are in good shape get even more benefits, research shows.
“Those who exercise regularly are better at creative thinking… Regular exercisers fared better on creativity tests than did non-exercisers,” wrote cognitive psychologist Lorenza Colzato.
Exercise increases the size of the hippocampus, which plays a major role in learning, and memory.
Healthy Habits Are Good for Everyone
“Creativity” doesn’t apply just to artists or other “creative” types. It refers to thinking freely – “outside the box,” as the saying goes – to find solutions to problems.
When we were younger, maybe it was easier to pull an all-nighter, or dredge up creative bursts by sheer will when forced under a deadline.
As We Age
But that only works for so long. As we age, we need more reliable ways to keep our creativity flowing. That means more than just exercise. We need to eat right, get plenty of rest, and replenish our mind and spirit with friends, family, art, community and spiritual pursuits.
Creativity is key to success in any kind of endeavor. And any kind of exercise can help you — any kind of it.
Try it out. Next time you’re turning over something in your mind, go for a walk and see how your mind becomes clearer and how you generate new thoughts and ideas.
And when you are ready to try different ways of moving, contact us. We love sharing the vast variety of safe ways for people over 50 to move safely and effectively, and we’d love to teach you.
Free your body, and the rest will follow.
So What Did You Read?
Exercise boosts creativity, especially as you age
Walking opens up a free-flow for your ideas
You brain gets revitalized with movement
Healthy habits are good for you, and everyone
All lifestyle strategies can help you age with balance
Not sure how to begin an exercise plan?
Try a free 15 minute chair yoga class with Nicole here…. >>>>> Energetic Chair Yoga. Breath, Spinal Curving and Extension + Energy
Nicole A. Vienneau MSN, RN, NC-BC, Active Aging Specialist
I partner with you, the Active Aging Adult, to restore and maintain balance, purpose & confidence in your life. For decades I cared for the sickest people in the ICU & saw a disconnect between healthcare & healing.
Instead of waiting for you to get sick, I now meet you where you live, work & play to help you explore your health and wellbeing.
At Blue Monarch Health, PLLC, I combine 20+ years of nursing experience with 30+ years of fitness + health coaching to uncover your most authentic expression of wellbeing.
xo Nicole
Email Nicole