Exercise Increases Brain Activity And Creativity!

There aren't many miracle drugs that can boost your health, disposition, recall, and inspiration all at once. One of these is engaging in physical activity.

You probably already know that getting some brain exercise first thing in the morning is important for your mental and physical well-being, but did you realize it could also help you develop new ideas? Exercising one's body has been linked by numerous studies to increased creative thinking. As a result, many famously inventive people in art, science, and commerce have made regular physical activity a part of their routine.

Check out the research on how and why exercise boosts our imagination and the one-of-a-kind routines of four creative leaders.

Does Physical Activity Boost Creativity?

Exercising has been shown to improve both the quality and quantity of one's creative output, and this area of research is expanding rapidly. Reasons for its impact on imagination include:

• Structure and function of the human body — Anatomy. The brain receives more oxygen-rich blood from the body during physical activity, enhancing its performance. In addition, research suggests that physical activity can promote the development of new neural connections in the brain.
• Physical activity has been shown to improve mood (recall the "runner's high") and reduce stress, anxiety, and other negative feelings that might stifle creativity.
• In particular, the hippocampus, which is involved in memory, has been shown to benefit from exercise by increasing its activity and strengthening its connections to other brain regions. The more you can store in your memory, the more information you'll have at your disposal, which could spark new ideas.
• Variation in Natural Conditions - To maintain an exercise routine, it's necessary to take frequent breaks from work. Being outside or in a novel setting will stimulate your imagination. When we jog or ride our bikes through scenic areas, we're exposed to ideas and sights that can spark creativity.

Exercise And The Imaginative Process

We may be underestimating the strength of the neurological relationship between physical activity and innovation. The mental processes that lead to originality, including divergent and convergent thinking, are linked to physical activity (identifying the best solution).

One theory that tries to account for the exercise-induced improvement in creative output calls this phenomenon "transient hypofrontality." To put it literally, it means "temporarily less frontal lobe," which is the part of the brain responsible for logical and organized cognition. During physical activity, we cannot fully engage in all of our typical mental processes at once. This paves the door for our minds to function in unconventional ways and make connections between concepts in uncharted ways, both of which are crucial to the creative process.

That's why it's possible to have a creative epiphany even when your morning workout doesn't leave you feeling on top of the world.

 

How Top Personalities Stay In Creativity?

Long before scientific studies provided support, artists and other creators proclaimed exercise to be an essential part of their process. If you look into the lives of successful people in the arts, sciences, and business, you'll devote some time each day to physical activity.

Here are the fitness routines of five prominent creatives, as well as the lessons we might draw from them:

1. Scientist - Nikola Tesla's Legs Stamina 

Nicola Tesla knew firsthand how walking in a park could spark an idea: that's where he came up with the concept of alternating current. He has been quoted as saying, "I walk eight to ten kilometers every day and never utilize a taxi or other method of transportation when I have the option to use my legs."

The crazed scientist also said he did his workouts in the tub but never specified how.

2. Composer - Pyotr Tchaikovsky's Strolls

The life of composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is a great example of how a routine of short bouts of exercise spread throughout the day may prepare and refresh the brain for creative activity.

The famous composer would take daily strolls before starting his day's work. In addition, he had a routine of taking a long walk after lunch, during which he would jot down notes of ideas he wanted to develop later.

3. Writer - Joyce Carol Oates's Mind During Running

In an interview with The New York Times from 1999, Joyce Carol Oates offered one of the most lyrical takes on the connection between running and inspiration.

When Oates works out, she doesn't just feel refreshed or strong; it's a sacred moment in which she can fully embody her thoughts. As she put it, "the magical efflorescence of language seems to pulse in the brain in sync with our feet and arm swings when running."

4. Writer - Haruki Murakami's Mesmerism

Haruki Murakami has a strict routine that he goes through every time he needs to write a book, which includes intense physical activity (a 10km run, 1500m swim, or both).

According to 1Q84's creator, he is able to attain a higher state of consciousness because of the combination of a steady rhythm and strict physical discipline. There is much proof that setting habits and rituals help us be more creative.

5. Computer Programmer And Internet Entrepreneur - Ryan Holmes's Clarification

The co-creator of Hootsuite said in an interview, "Exercise is the one thing that helps me focus the most." Every time I go for a run, a yoga class, or backcountry skiing, I come back with a clearer head and a sharper focus.

The ability to take your time and think creatively about a situation is essential. For example, if you get up from your desk and do something completely unrelated, your mind can play catch up and come up with solutions even as you sleep.

 

Physically Energetic And Mentally Inventive

Finding time to exercise can be challenging, especially if you're already overworked. However, the benefits to your health, creativity, and (by extension) productivity more than justify the work involved.

The physical routines of great creatives are just as varied as the many forms of expression they foster, encompassing everything from swimming to yoga, skiing to tennis. They're a great visual reminder that any physical activity is better than none. You should feel free to fit in a 10-kilometer run only a few times a week.

Look for something to do that fits along with your schedule and energy levels. Finding the routine that awakens your imagination may take some time for experimentation. However, even seemingly insignificant actions, such as commuting to work by bike or working out for thirty minutes, can pave the way to new insights and opportunities.

The Takeaway

Glow & Tone - 2

I hope you get motivated! The shower can be a source of inspiration for some. Some people have life-changing moments of clarity when they're just strolling about. Exercisers may experience more "aha!" moments than sedentary folks, but this benefit may be present regardless of the setting.

The same is true for me; I feel more inspired & creative to write while walking. Discover what kinds of physical activity excite you and focus on developing those.

FAQ

Which physical activities best stimulate original thought?

A refreshing massage may be just the thing to kickstart your creativity. Walking can bring life-changing understanding. No matter the circumstances, those who exercise regularly may experience more "wow!" moments than their sedentary counterparts.

Does working out improve one's state of mind?

Exercising frequently can help reduce stress and anxiety by enhancing the production of feel-good chemicals in the brain, like endorphins and natural cannabinoids.

Which activity enhances brain capacity?

Both types of creative thinking—divergent and convergent—benefit from regular exercise. However, divergent thinking involves exploring numerous solutions to an issue, whereas convergent thinking involves examining only one.

Which activity enhances cognitive performance?

Research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that tai chi improved executive function, which controls such cognitive processes as planning, working memory, attention, problem solving, and verbal thinking, in older adults.