How being active helps you be creative
Have you ever felt like exercise helps you be more creative? Do you finish a run or a good strength workout with a million ideas in your head?
Well, I sure do! I sometimes think I should run with a recorder so I can talk out my thoughts and ideas. And I actually take a notepad with me when cycling so I can write things down!
My scribbly notes taken while running!
The Jan/Feb issue of Health had an article on the topic – “How Exercise Makes You More Creative.”* The article explains why this happens:
When you work out, your body flushes out cortisol, the hormone that helps trigger the “fight or flight” response when you’re stressed, and which also shuts down brain functions for creativity and problem-solving, explains Pierce J. Howard, PhD, managing director of research and development at the Center for Applied Cognitive Studies in Charlotte, North Carolina, and author of The Owner’s Manual for The Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind-Brain Research.
Meanwhile, your pituitary gland releases endorphins, which can produce the feel-good “runner’s high.” Exercise also promotes the growth of new nerve cells and synapses through elevating levels of neurotrophins (a chemical that fosters the growth of new nerve endings) and by increasing oxygen in the blood, which helps provide mental energy.
Pretty cool, right? Not only are we away from distractions when we work out, but our body is releasing endorphins to encourage good feelings and flushing out the cortisol that makes us feel stressed.
The article gives five tips to jump start your creativity:
- Pick a low-concentration exercise that allows your mind to wander, such as brisk walking, swimming laps, hiking, or running. Sports, such as golf or tennis, or team activities, like soccer or basketball require too much strategizing or in-the-moment focus.
- Exercise for a decent duration—at least 30 minutes.
- Unless you and a partner plan to brainstorm on a shared project, exercise alone.
- Bring a notepad or tape recorder so you can jot down brilliant ideas.
- Get to work right after you return, while your creative juices are flowing. The shower can wait!
I can’t wait to see what creative ideas you come up with!
*Damn. I love it when magazines put their articles online so I can share them with you!
Themocracy
Exercise definitely gets my mind going– that’s usually when I think about poem revisions, or new ideas for recipes!
Have a great day, Kim!
I couldn’t agree more! My creativity (what there is of it) is definitely at it’s highest during my long run. I also come up with lots of good stuff during sleep. The problem is I seldom remember it!
Heh, I’m trying to imagine myself jotting things down on a pad of paper during a long run… don’t think I’m talented enough to do that 😛
Good article. The mind is def. in high activity mode after a workout. Never a negative thought. Such good endorphines!
If you have an IPhone, they have an app. for recording notes. It’s called “Voice Memos”.
I just read this article this morning. Very interesting. I do a lot of good thinking when I run.
Hmm, I never really thought about this but I suppose it does. Since I didn’t exercise today (or yesterday) I’ll make sure I think about this tomorrow when I get my legs moving. 🙂
I know it makes me feel amazing, now I want to see if it makes me feel creative too. I have a feeling it does..
Great article find!
It’s true. I compose 90% of my blogs while running.
Ha, I never think about being creative. I suppose I am, so maybe all that running is giving me time to think it out. (Especially since I try to run without music now.)
I’d say I get most of my fiction writing ideas when I’m on a walk. I don’t know if it’s the walking or the fresh air or the “iPod zone,” but it’s really cool.
I do most of my weekly planning, to do list and ideas for our side business while on the elliptical or stair master. In the evenings (when it is not so cold) Raymond and I take Sadie out for a walk and do a lot of our brainstorming while walking..
Interesting article Kim.
I am the least creative person you will ever hope to meet… but I guess swimming laps is pretty mindless, so your thoughts are bound to wander SOMEWHERE! At least, mine are…
<3 <3
I never thought about it to tell you the truth, but I do know that on the days I work out in the morning, I always feel much better throughout the entire day.
That’s really interesting about being my creative after/during working out. I know I think a lot more but never thought about writing things down afterwards. I have a journal I carry with me so all I have to do is remember to write in it.
I’ve also started a number of posts in my head while out for a run, or a ride, or a swim!! It becomes my me time, and lets my mind wander away from the things that normally consume my thoughts!
I definitely have new ideas on house projects, personal organization or even blogs/letter writing ideas when I exericse. It’s my time to sort through my thoughts and get to the bottom of things and move forward. It’s pretty great.
I firmly believe that getting your mind on some thing else like exercise, painting even driving can give you so many ah! moments.
I love the idea of carrying a notebook with you. I have started to do that lately in my purse. sometimes I get so lost in thoughts that I don’t pay attention to what I am doing and I actually find myself spending more time on the treadmill etc!
Thanks for sharing that article. IT was really neat to read. I swear I have my best ideas while working out but I always forget them by the time i get home!