Running does this for me every time. I work out a problem in the first mile that I couldn't solve sitting at a desk for an hour.
There's science behind it — increased blood flow to the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for creative thinking and problem solving. The ancient Greeks figured this out without the neuroscience. They knew movement and thought belonged together.
Ugh. Guilty as charged, your honor. I have been so focused on hitting my word count goals lately, practicing strict butt-in-chair sessions that I have failed to walk. Thanks for the reminder. Now if you'll pardon me, I have some shoes to lace up...
Julia Cameron, the creativity coach, has written a whole book on walking alone. As I'm sure many other writers have too. Indeed, nearly every problem is solved by walking in nature! I couldn't be without it.
Yes, any type of movement is so fantastic for our creative mind and just to simply get unstuck mentally. There is something so simple and timeless about just walking in nature though. Thank you for this today.
The great philosopher Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC) had understood the relationship between movement and thought, which is why he called his school "Περίπατος-Peripatos" (walk), where teaching and discussions took place on the move.
This was certainly true of Albert Einstein, to whom the formative idea of special relativity -- the relativity of simultaneity -- occurred to him while hiking in the Swiss Alps. I would suggest, however, that the real inspiration is conferred by the oxygen bath given to the brain during leg exercise, which can also be performed indoors using deep squats. This probably never occurred to most people until the yoga and exercise frenzies of the 1960s. The connection to inspiration -- translated literally as the act of inhaling -- seems to be occurring only recently.
I suspect this is one reason human beings have sought forests, shorelines, mountains, and gardens for thousands of years.
Not because nature solves our problems.
Because it interrupts the illusion that thinking is the same thing as living.
Some answers arrive through reflection.
Others arrive through movement.
Through the rhythm of footsteps on a trail.
Through birdsong.
Through watching light move across water.
Through remembering that we are bodies, not just minds.
As someone who spends a great deal of time thinking, writing, analyzing, and searching for meaning, I have learned that there comes a point where another insight is not what is needed.
Sometimes what is needed is a walk.
A lake.
A tree.
A dog.
A sunset.
A moment long enough to remember that life is happening now, not merely being contemplated.
The ancient cure may not be ancient wisdom at all.
It may simply be remembering that we were never meant to live entirely inside our heads.
Running does this for me every time. I work out a problem in the first mile that I couldn't solve sitting at a desk for an hour.
There's science behind it — increased blood flow to the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for creative thinking and problem solving. The ancient Greeks figured this out without the neuroscience. They knew movement and thought belonged together.
The serendipity of two articles being published about walking on the same day! I better get walking @Adela Slo
https://adelaslo.substack.com/p/why-walking-will-save-your-life?r=3sppn&utm_medium=ios
haha I didn’t see the other one! what a coincidence. thank you for sharing ❤️
Ugh. Guilty as charged, your honor. I have been so focused on hitting my word count goals lately, practicing strict butt-in-chair sessions that I have failed to walk. Thanks for the reminder. Now if you'll pardon me, I have some shoes to lace up...
The greats already knew the benefits of walking, even without the knowleadge of the serotonin and endorfins released through it, awesome!
I walk every morning. Good for the soul!💕 Thank you for you newsletters
Walking, yes. I also find I the cross-trainer in the gym beneficial.
Julia Cameron, the creativity coach, has written a whole book on walking alone. As I'm sure many other writers have too. Indeed, nearly every problem is solved by walking in nature! I couldn't be without it.
A walk without your cellphone and AirPods is encouraged.
Yes, any type of movement is so fantastic for our creative mind and just to simply get unstuck mentally. There is something so simple and timeless about just walking in nature though. Thank you for this today.
The great philosopher Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC) had understood the relationship between movement and thought, which is why he called his school "Περίπατος-Peripatos" (walk), where teaching and discussions took place on the move.
When we exercise we ‘inspire’ oxygen, our circulation quickens, and nature; the ultimate creation; reminds us of peaceful stillness
This was certainly true of Albert Einstein, to whom the formative idea of special relativity -- the relativity of simultaneity -- occurred to him while hiking in the Swiss Alps. I would suggest, however, that the real inspiration is conferred by the oxygen bath given to the brain during leg exercise, which can also be performed indoors using deep squats. This probably never occurred to most people until the yoga and exercise frenzies of the 1960s. The connection to inspiration -- translated literally as the act of inhaling -- seems to be occurring only recently.
Makes so much sense. What a great reminder to stop and walk, especially in these days where we expect an AI agent to find our answers.
Also interesting to note that EMDR therapy was developed from its inventor, Francine Shapiro, going out for a walk in the woods.
Some of my clearest thoughts have come while walking with no destination in mind!
Amazing ☺️ Thanku ☺️
I suspect this is one reason human beings have sought forests, shorelines, mountains, and gardens for thousands of years.
Not because nature solves our problems.
Because it interrupts the illusion that thinking is the same thing as living.
Some answers arrive through reflection.
Others arrive through movement.
Through the rhythm of footsteps on a trail.
Through birdsong.
Through watching light move across water.
Through remembering that we are bodies, not just minds.
As someone who spends a great deal of time thinking, writing, analyzing, and searching for meaning, I have learned that there comes a point where another insight is not what is needed.
Sometimes what is needed is a walk.
A lake.
A tree.
A dog.
A sunset.
A moment long enough to remember that life is happening now, not merely being contemplated.
The ancient cure may not be ancient wisdom at all.
It may simply be remembering that we were never meant to live entirely inside our heads.