Take a Walk

Have you ever noticed how your best ideas don’t always strike when you’re glued to your desk? Maybe it’s during a stroll around the block or while pacing in your living room that inspiration suddenly hits. You’re not alone—science now shows that walking is more than just good for your body; it’s a secret weapon for your mind.¹

Photo by Olia Gozha on Unsplash

A fascinating study, titled "Give Your Ideas Some Legs: The Positive Effect of Walking on Creative Thinking" by Marily Oppezzo and Daniel L. Schwartz (2014), explores the surprising connection between walking and creative thinking. The findings offer a simple, actionable way to enhance creativity: just put one foot in front of the other.

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What Did the Study Find?

Oppezzo and Schwartz conducted four experiments with 176 college students to explore how walking influences creative thinking. The results were clear: walking significantly boosts creativity, particularly divergent thinking—the type of thinking that generates a variety of ideas or solutions. Here’s what they discovered:

1. Walking Sparks Divergent Thinking
   Participants who walked performed 81% better on the Guilford's Alternate Uses (GAU) test—a measure of creative thinking—compared to when they were seated. Walking unlocked their ability to generate more ideas and think outside the box.

2. Creativity Endures After Walking
   Interestingly, the creative benefits didn’t stop when participants sat back down. Those who walked and then returned to their seats continued to show improved creative thinking, suggesting that the effects of walking linger even after the activity ends.

3. Outdoor Walking Yields the Best Results
   While walking indoors (e.g., on a treadmill) improved creativity, walking outdoors took it to another level. Participants walking outside generated more novel and high-quality analogies compared to those in other conditions, such as sitting indoors or even being pushed in a wheelchair outdoors. The combination of movement and exposure to a stimulating environment seems to amplify creativity.

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Are You Getting Enough Vitamin [Tree]?

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Why Does Walking Boost Creativity?

Walking stimulates the free flow of ideas. Unlike activities that demand intense focus, walking occupies the body just enough to let the mind wander—a state known as “mind-wandering mode.” This relaxed, unfocused state is where creativity often thrives, as the brain connects disparate thoughts and explores new ideas.

When walking outdoors, the added benefit of natural stimuli—a breeze, the sound of birds, or changing scenery—further enhances this process. It’s as if your brain gets a gentle nudge to think in more expansive and unconventional ways.

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Walking as a Creative Tool

What makes this research so exciting is its practicality. You don’t need expensive tools or complicated routines to boost your creativity—all it takes is a walk. Whether you’re brainstorming for a project, solving a tough problem, or simply seeking inspiration, walking provides a simple, accessible method to spark fresh ideas.

Here are a few ways to integrate walking into your creative process:

• Walk-and-Talk Brainstorming: Replace traditional meetings with walking meetings. Discuss ideas while walking around a park or campus.

• Solo Strolls: When stuck on a problem, take a solo walk, ideally outdoors. Let your mind wander without the pressure to think about the issue directly.

• Walking Breaks: Schedule short walking breaks throughout your day to reset your mind and unlock creative insights.

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Beyond Creativity: The Added Benefits of Walking

While the study focuses on creativity, the benefits of walking extend far beyond that. Regular walking improves physical health, reduces stress, and enhances mental well-being. In many ways, walking is the ultimate multitasker—it nurtures both body and mind.

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Takeaway: A Simple, Powerful Habit

In a world obsessed with productivity hacks and complex routines, walking stands out as a refreshingly simple way to boost creativity and problem-solving. As the study concludes:

“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.”

So the next time you’re stuck on a problem or searching for your next big idea, don’t stay seated. Get up, lace up your shoes, and take a walk. The solution might just be waiting for you around the next corner.

1. Oppezzo, M., & Schwartz, D. L. (2014). Give Your Ideas Some Legs: The Positive Effect of Walking on Creative Thinking. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 40(4), 1142–1152. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036577