Exercise to Boost Creative Thinking
I believe that exercise boosts creativity, especially when attempting to do some writing first thing in the morning. I don’t know about anyone else, but I am at my worst when I first get out of bed. I am sluggish, lazy, fuzzy-headed and grouchy. It is really hard for me to sit down and churn out anything of worth when I am in this condition. Even late at night, when I am feeling tired from a long day of work, I cannot put together the energy required of me when I write.
I truly believe that exercise helps in this capacity. I know this from my own past experiences, and the research on exercise, mind clarity, energy and creativity supports this as well. For the New Year, I plan on making a resolution to exercise as many days as I can fit into my schedule.
Mind Clarity
Exercising produces a clarity of mind. It awakens the body and stimulates the brain. So, it makes sense that when you are feeling sluggish and fuzzy-headed in the morning, afternoon or night, exercise would be a great way to wake up the brain. I currently do not make a habit of writing in the morning, but I would like to change this. In order to do so, I will need to do something in order to “turn on” my mind. Coffee might be a simpler and easier solution to this, but I believe that exercising is a more natural and effective method.
Blood Circulation
So, your brain is awake, but is the rest of your body? I still don’t feel up to doing anything if my body is tired. My mind might be racing, but if my body is sluggish, I don’t feel up to being creative. What better way to wake up the rest of your body than to get your blood circulating? And I honestly do not know of a better way to wake up your body than by exercising it. It’s what your body needs. I don’t believe our bodies are made to sit around all day, even though that’s what I mostly do with mine.
Positive Feelings
Exercise has been proven to produce positive feelings. Now, I know that this is not true for everyone, but I feel much more creative and up to fueling the creative flame if I am happy. I produce more material, better material and feel better about that material. I have more self-confidence, and I am more prone to try something new. If I am in a bad mood, I just want to sit on the couch watching Veronica Mars with a bowl full of popcorn.
More Energy
Exercise has also been proven to produce more sustained energy. This goes along with the mind clarity and blood circulation, and I need a lot of energy to be creative. It takes a lot out of me to throw myself into writing a novel or coming up with an idea for a blog post or editing a new video. Exercising not only produces immediate energy, but a prolonged and sustainable energy. The more you exercise, the more energy you will have over time.
Creative Boost
All of the things above give me a creative boost. However, there have also been direct studies to determine whether or not exercise does in fact enhance creativity. Creative potential has been found to be higher immediately following exercise, as well as even two hours after exercise is completed. This implies that regular activity is good for the creative soul.
In addition to the reasons stated above, a morning run is a great time for formulating ideas or escaping writer’s block. Basically, there are many reasons why you might consider adding some regular exercise into your morning or evening routine. I certainly plan on doing so.
Great post, and especially so close to the beginning of a new year, it’s definitely got me even more motivated to exercise more come 2008. Thank you
@ April: Motivation to exercise is so hard to find sometimes! But if I keep in mine that it helps creativity, I might be able to do it!