A study by Stanford University in the United States has shown that walking significantly increases the ability to generate new ideas, especially in activities that require brainstorming and creative thinking.
According to the researchers, the effect is observed both during outdoor walks and in indoor environments, such as treadmill walking inside the workplace. The study concluded that walking itself is the main factor associated with increased creativity.
In the research, participants who walked performed better in creative tasks compared to those who remained seated. In one of the tests, the average increase in idea generation reached about 60%.
The researchers explained that walking promotes so-called “divergent thinking,” a mental process associated with generating different solutions and forming new connections between ideas. This can be especially useful in professional activities that require innovation, problem-solving, and creativity.
In the study, participants who walked performed significantly better in creative tasks than those who remained seated. In one of the tests, the average increase in idea generation reached about 60%.
It is also important to note that short walking breaks during working hours can help professionals break away from autopilot mode and regain mental clarity throughout the day.
In the study, participants who walked showed superior creative performance compared to those who remained seated. In one of the tests, the average increase in idea generation reached about 60%.
According to Fast Company Brasil, this habit can also serve as a simple way to interrupt excessive digital stimulation, back-to-back meetings, and long periods spent sitting in front of a computer.
After all, sitting for nine hours a day, five days a week, can negatively affect both physical and mental health.
The Stanford University research was divided into four experiments involving 176 university students and other adults. Participants were asked to perform tasks designed to measure creative thinking while undergoing different conditions: walking on a treadmill indoors; sitting indoors; walking outdoors; or sitting outdoors while being pushed in a wheelchair.
According to the researchers, the goal was to compare not only physical movement but also the impact of visual environment on creativity.
The sessions lasted between five and 16 minutes, depending on the activity. The study also evaluated different combinations, such as two consecutive sitting sessions or a walk followed by a seated activity.
