![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6686a2f18f867.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e85798bd7b0.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e851fc93987.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e854b25007d.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e85a2162978.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e8520028769.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e85c574e1da.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e8520216ceb.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e85a2304cfa.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e85a21e0318.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e851fdb48c3.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e853e84de83.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e852a9b4ee5.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e853eadd896.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e851fbdec6b.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e851ff190b5.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e852a5cf660.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e852a711909.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e855063aa76.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e854b361594.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e855b015d48.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e853ec547f6.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e852a854065.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e854b35945a.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e855b45780c.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e853e889308.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e8770fcbc61.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e854b0462bf.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e8770e846cd.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e8770e0c278.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e8530c8c381.jpg)
![The surprising link between movement and creative thinking](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65e852a25a185.jpg)
See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 32 Fotos
Sit less, move more
- As far back as 1888, the world's thinkers were warning about the dangers of sitting. Nietzsche famously advised, "Sit as little as possible. Do not believe any idea that was not born in the open air and of free movement."
© Shutterstock
1 / 32 Fotos
Sit less, move more
- Thanks to many advances in research in the meantime, we're now able to pinpoint exactly why there is a link between exercise and creativity.
© Shutterstock
2 / 32 Fotos
Fitness
- Many times when we hear about the benefits of physical activity, it's in reference to our levels of overall fitness.
© Shutterstock
3 / 32 Fotos
Creativity
- When it comes to creativity though, things are much more simple. The very act of moving the body seems to enhance our creative thinking.
© Shutterstock
4 / 32 Fotos
Movement
- In other words, it doesn't have to be a physically challenging, high-impact workout for the exercise to ignite creativity: a simple walk, cycle, or jog can help.
© Shutterstock
5 / 32 Fotos
Short aerobic exercise
- One study examined the effects of climbing four flights of stairs, to see if such a moderate, short activity could produce effects.
© Shutterstock
6 / 32 Fotos
Short aerobic exercise
- "Even a single, brief bout of aerobic exercise can ignite creative thinking," says Chong Chen, assistant professor in the department of neuroscience at Yamaguchi University, in Japan, who authored the study.
© Shutterstock
7 / 32 Fotos
Divergent thinking
- Coming up with ideas by drawing associations between unrelated and diverse things is classed as divergent thinking.
© Shutterstock
8 / 32 Fotos
Convergent thinking
- The deliberate, controlled mental process of weighing up ideas as worth pursuing (i.e. the ideas are narrowed down) is called convergent thinking.
© Shutterstock
9 / 32 Fotos
Research so far
- According to the research that exists so far post-exercise, divergent thinking is reliably enhanced by physical activity.
© Shutterstock
10 / 32 Fotos
Creativity and work
- Even if your job isn't something that would traditionally be considered 'creative,' many of the real-world challenges we face demand creative thinking and solutions to problems.
© Shutterstock
11 / 32 Fotos
Creativity and work
- So while you might have come to associate creativity with artists, writers, musicians, or actors, in real life it isn't so reductive.
© Shutterstock
12 / 32 Fotos
Creativity in action
- Making a meal from leftovers, entertaining children, or devising a new business plan are all examples of creativity in action in practical, day-to-day life ways.
© Shutterstock
13 / 32 Fotos
Exercise benefits
- Both mental health and the cognitive function of the brain are significantly improved by taking part in regular exercise.
© Shutterstock
14 / 32 Fotos
Exercise benefits
- When exercise is frequent and consistent, it has been linked to an increase in the volume of the brain, particularly in the region called the hippocampus.
© Shutterstock
15 / 32 Fotos
Structural change
- The structural change to this part of the brain encourages attention control, information processing, and working memory benefits.
© Shutterstock
16 / 32 Fotos
Structural change
- These aspects of cognition give the brain the potential to be more creative. However, changes to the brain take time to have an effect.
© Shutterstock
17 / 32 Fotos
Acute exercise
- But this doesn't explain why a single exercise session (acute exercise) can also have benefits. One possibility is the improved circulation it provides, bringing fresh oxygen to the brain.
© Shutterstock
18 / 32 Fotos
Acute exercise
- This, in turn, also increases the number of proteins circulating in the brain that promote the growth and survival of brain cells.
© Shutterstock
19 / 32 Fotos
Transient hypofrontality
- Using neuroimaging (imaging that studies brain function), it has been shown that even moderate exercise can induce a state of transient hypofrontality.
© Shutterstock
20 / 32 Fotos
Transient hypofrontality
- In this state, activity in the prefrontal cortex is reduced. This is the part of the brain that is responsible for things like reasoning and decision-making.
© Shutterstock
21 / 32 Fotos
Transient hypofrontality
- When activity here is lower, it allows your thoughts to float freely. This might be why you will reach an important realization on a run or doing something where you are completely distracted from your earlier thoughts.
© Shutterstock
22 / 32 Fotos
Incubation
- In creativity research, this is a process known as incubation. The incubation action completely takes you away from the activity you were engaged in.
© Shutterstock
23 / 32 Fotos
Incubation
- The incubation action increases positive feeling—or decreases negative ones—and must be so undemanding that the mind is allowed time to wander.
© Shutterstock
24 / 32 Fotos
Allowing the mind to wander
- When attention is shifted from current thoughts and feelings to something unrelated, our mind draws connections between diverse topics.
© Shutterstock
25 / 32 Fotos
High intensity and incubation
- This might be why high-intensity exercise doesn't have the same effect. High intensity can also have a stressful effect on the body, lowering mood and cognitive ability.
© Shutterstock
26 / 32 Fotos
High intensity and incubation
- While high-intensity exercise might be better for entering a meditative state, moderate-to-low intensity exercise could be better at encouraging more ideas to flow.
© Shutterstock
27 / 32 Fotos
The definition of intensity
- What is defined as 'intense' exercise will of course differ from person to person, depending on activity levels.
© Shutterstock
28 / 32 Fotos
Inside or outside
- Interestingly, walking—whether it was inside or outside—raised subjects' creative output by 60% on average, when compared to sitting still.
© Shutterstock
29 / 32 Fotos
The unknown
- We still don't know things like how long the increased creativity effects last, or if simple, repetitive movement is more beneficial than something complex.
© Shutterstock
30 / 32 Fotos
Short breaks with activity
- However, what new studies do show is that short breaks with moderate activity can have a positive effect on creative thinking and problem-solving when we return to the desk, so we shouldn't be hesitant to implement them. Sources: (The Guardian) (Frontiers) (The New York Times) (Artsy)
© Shutterstock
31 / 32 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 32 Fotos
Sit less, move more
- As far back as 1888, the world's thinkers were warning about the dangers of sitting. Nietzsche famously advised, "Sit as little as possible. Do not believe any idea that was not born in the open air and of free movement."
© Shutterstock
1 / 32 Fotos
Sit less, move more
- Thanks to many advances in research in the meantime, we're now able to pinpoint exactly why there is a link between exercise and creativity.
© Shutterstock
2 / 32 Fotos
Fitness
- Many times when we hear about the benefits of physical activity, it's in reference to our levels of overall fitness.
© Shutterstock
3 / 32 Fotos
Creativity
- When it comes to creativity though, things are much more simple. The very act of moving the body seems to enhance our creative thinking.
© Shutterstock
4 / 32 Fotos
Movement
- In other words, it doesn't have to be a physically challenging, high-impact workout for the exercise to ignite creativity: a simple walk, cycle, or jog can help.
© Shutterstock
5 / 32 Fotos
Short aerobic exercise
- One study examined the effects of climbing four flights of stairs, to see if such a moderate, short activity could produce effects.
© Shutterstock
6 / 32 Fotos
Short aerobic exercise
- "Even a single, brief bout of aerobic exercise can ignite creative thinking," says Chong Chen, assistant professor in the department of neuroscience at Yamaguchi University, in Japan, who authored the study.
© Shutterstock
7 / 32 Fotos
Divergent thinking
- Coming up with ideas by drawing associations between unrelated and diverse things is classed as divergent thinking.
© Shutterstock
8 / 32 Fotos
Convergent thinking
- The deliberate, controlled mental process of weighing up ideas as worth pursuing (i.e. the ideas are narrowed down) is called convergent thinking.
© Shutterstock
9 / 32 Fotos
Research so far
- According to the research that exists so far post-exercise, divergent thinking is reliably enhanced by physical activity.
© Shutterstock
10 / 32 Fotos
Creativity and work
- Even if your job isn't something that would traditionally be considered 'creative,' many of the real-world challenges we face demand creative thinking and solutions to problems.
© Shutterstock
11 / 32 Fotos
Creativity and work
- So while you might have come to associate creativity with artists, writers, musicians, or actors, in real life it isn't so reductive.
© Shutterstock
12 / 32 Fotos
Creativity in action
- Making a meal from leftovers, entertaining children, or devising a new business plan are all examples of creativity in action in practical, day-to-day life ways.
© Shutterstock
13 / 32 Fotos
Exercise benefits
- Both mental health and the cognitive function of the brain are significantly improved by taking part in regular exercise.
© Shutterstock
14 / 32 Fotos
Exercise benefits
- When exercise is frequent and consistent, it has been linked to an increase in the volume of the brain, particularly in the region called the hippocampus.
© Shutterstock
15 / 32 Fotos
Structural change
- The structural change to this part of the brain encourages attention control, information processing, and working memory benefits.
© Shutterstock
16 / 32 Fotos
Structural change
- These aspects of cognition give the brain the potential to be more creative. However, changes to the brain take time to have an effect.
© Shutterstock
17 / 32 Fotos
Acute exercise
- But this doesn't explain why a single exercise session (acute exercise) can also have benefits. One possibility is the improved circulation it provides, bringing fresh oxygen to the brain.
© Shutterstock
18 / 32 Fotos
Acute exercise
- This, in turn, also increases the number of proteins circulating in the brain that promote the growth and survival of brain cells.
© Shutterstock
19 / 32 Fotos
Transient hypofrontality
- Using neuroimaging (imaging that studies brain function), it has been shown that even moderate exercise can induce a state of transient hypofrontality.
© Shutterstock
20 / 32 Fotos
Transient hypofrontality
- In this state, activity in the prefrontal cortex is reduced. This is the part of the brain that is responsible for things like reasoning and decision-making.
© Shutterstock
21 / 32 Fotos
Transient hypofrontality
- When activity here is lower, it allows your thoughts to float freely. This might be why you will reach an important realization on a run or doing something where you are completely distracted from your earlier thoughts.
© Shutterstock
22 / 32 Fotos
Incubation
- In creativity research, this is a process known as incubation. The incubation action completely takes you away from the activity you were engaged in.
© Shutterstock
23 / 32 Fotos
Incubation
- The incubation action increases positive feeling—or decreases negative ones—and must be so undemanding that the mind is allowed time to wander.
© Shutterstock
24 / 32 Fotos
Allowing the mind to wander
- When attention is shifted from current thoughts and feelings to something unrelated, our mind draws connections between diverse topics.
© Shutterstock
25 / 32 Fotos
High intensity and incubation
- This might be why high-intensity exercise doesn't have the same effect. High intensity can also have a stressful effect on the body, lowering mood and cognitive ability.
© Shutterstock
26 / 32 Fotos
High intensity and incubation
- While high-intensity exercise might be better for entering a meditative state, moderate-to-low intensity exercise could be better at encouraging more ideas to flow.
© Shutterstock
27 / 32 Fotos
The definition of intensity
- What is defined as 'intense' exercise will of course differ from person to person, depending on activity levels.
© Shutterstock
28 / 32 Fotos
Inside or outside
- Interestingly, walking—whether it was inside or outside—raised subjects' creative output by 60% on average, when compared to sitting still.
© Shutterstock
29 / 32 Fotos
The unknown
- We still don't know things like how long the increased creativity effects last, or if simple, repetitive movement is more beneficial than something complex.
© Shutterstock
30 / 32 Fotos
Short breaks with activity
- However, what new studies do show is that short breaks with moderate activity can have a positive effect on creative thinking and problem-solving when we return to the desk, so we shouldn't be hesitant to implement them. Sources: (The Guardian) (Frontiers) (The New York Times) (Artsy)
© Shutterstock
31 / 32 Fotos
The surprising link between movement and creative thinking
Does one expand the other?
© Shutterstock
Problem solving, innovating, and adaptive thinking—what do they all have in common? They're the products of creativity, using our mind to find solutions to problems in a non-linear way. As our world becomes more technologically advanced, creativity becomes an even more prized asset. Numerous studies have found links between creative thinking and listening to music, being in nature, and feeling positive. But did you know that moderate movement and exercise can also have big benefits for creative brainpower?
Intrigued? Click on to learn why physical activity boosts creativity.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
![The angel number of each zodiac sign](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66daea83cf3d5.jpg)
![Do you have a Sunday reset routine?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dabb3c56bfa.jpg)
![Natural spies: Animals used in espionage](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9cea393994.jpg)
![Miracles and a temper? Experts investigate Jesus' childhood](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dafd980019e.jpg)
![Exploring the tree house hotel where Princess Elizabeth learned she'd be Queen](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66daf9f737929.jpg)
![The top 30 most valuable brands of 2024](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d6f050a2e93.jpg)
![Countries where bosses can't contact employees after hours](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dae767723a3.jpg)
![The sad reality of femicide around the world](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dace5c31b08.jpg)
![Who is the top goal scorer of all time?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dac9cd5b549.jpg)
![The amazing life of Jane Goodall, the world's most famous primatologist](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9c5a6523fb.jpg)
![What was the Neanderthal diet like?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9c4ba462b7.jpg)
![The greatest surfers of all time](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82a3991191.jpg)
![Fascinating facts you probably didn't know about the Oval Office](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66db0390a5798.jpg)
![How does tennis scoring actually work?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82a540f53f.jpg)
![What would the world look like if mosquitos were eradicated?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d5eac49dc86.jpg)
![Countries that have banned X, TikTok, and Facebook](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d72124468bd.jpg)
![Outdated workplace trends to say goodbye to](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8529e0ac2a.jpg)
![American football players who became coaches](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d59a4ede1a9.jpg)
![Experts predict a tsunami in Europe with 100% probability](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d97aef417a7.jpg)
![The greatest female wrestlers of all time](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d5d7aa902d2.jpg)
![How your zodiac sign influences your personality traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84e22a505a.jpg)
![Unique ways your zodiac sign sabotages romantic relationships](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84aee582cb.jpg)
![Japan's trick to reverse population collapse](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d719469c392.jpg)
![The terrifying history of the dark web](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84942d0d7a.jpg)
![The F1 drivers with the most pole positions ever](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d71d2095a6e.jpg)
![The most (and least) intelligent zodiac signs, ranked](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8447cb1c5d.jpg)
![The fascinating spiritual meaning of your animal dreams, revealed](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83ec1a1923.jpg)
![Are you an introvert? These are the telltale signs](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d840333af90.jpg)
![The sad reasons why some good relationships don't last](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84195c34c0.jpg)
![Clear signs you've hit a midlife crisis](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83d116bd09.jpg)
![Stunning pictures of the world's strangest and rarest weather phenomena](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83c14b308e.jpg)
![These zodiac signs are the funniest](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8329f2cd1f.jpg)
![You can live in luxury on a budget in these countries](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82d763b2b6.jpg)
![This is why even the best players miss penalties during a shoot-out](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82c209a643.jpg)
![Which countries have the most bald men?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d838cccf6e9.jpg)
![Decode your pup: strange dog behaviors explained](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d086ddd77a1.jpg)
MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week
-
1
CELEBRITY Relationships
-
2
LIFESTYLE Wealth
-
3
HEALTH Bad habit
-
4
LIFESTYLE History
-
5
FOOD Food storage
-
6
LIFESTYLE Secondhand
-
7
LIFESTYLE Secondhand
-
8
HEALTH Risks
-
9
-
10
LIFESTYLE Politics
Why is the far-right gaining popularity among young people in Europe?