Walking and creativity

Unlock your creativity: How walking can spark great ideas

Have you ever noticed that your best thoughts and ideas pop up when you’re walking? Science shows there’s a good reason for this. A simple walk could be the key to unlocking your creative side and coming up with innovative ideas.

Walking boosts creative thinking

Researchers at Stanford University made an interesting discovery. They found that walking can boost creative thinking by a large amount – about 60% more than when you’re sitting down.

Walk for new ideas

The research showed that walking especially helps with ‘divergent thinking’. This is your ability to come up with many different solutions to problems that don’t have just one right answer. This type of thinking is useful for:

• brainstorming new ideas
• finding new ways to solve problems
• connecting different ideas in unexpected ways
• getting past creative blocks
• looking at problems in a new light.

How to use walking to boost your creativity

Do you want to use the power of walking for your own creative thinking? Try these ideas:

• Walk before brainstorming: Take a short 10 to 15 minute walk before you sit down to brainstorm or work on a creative problem. This can get your mind ready to think in new ways.
• Walking meetings: Suggest going for a walk when you need to discuss ideas. You’ll probably come up with more and better ideas than if you were sitting in a room. Explore our tips for walking meetings.
• Creative walks: When you’re stuck on a problem, take it for a walk with the purpose to generate ideas. Bring something to record your thoughts, like a voice recorder phone app or a notebook.
• Mind-wandering walks: Go for walks to just let your mind wander! These walks can often lead to unexpected insights.

The great thing about using walking for creativity is that it’s simple. You don’t need any special tools, training, or talent. Just give it a go. So, the next time you need a great idea or a fresh perspective, don’t just sit and stare. Go for a walk and let your creativity flow with every step.

For more inspiration read our guide to creative walking activities.