Long walks to creative thinking

05 December 2013 - 02:02 By ©The Daily Telegraph
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Image: Benjamin D. Maxham

Philosopher and author Henry Thoreau once claimed his thoughts began to flow "the moment my legs began to move".

Now scientists have discovered that taking part in regular exercise, such as going for a walk or riding a bike, really does improve creative thought.

Cognitive psychologist Prof Lorenza Colzato of Leiden University in The Netherlands found that people who exercised four times a week thought more creatively than those with a sedentary lifestyle.

"Anecdotal literature suggests that creative people sometimes use bodily movement to overcome mental blocks and a lack of inspiration," Colzato said.

"Indeed, authors such as Henry James and Thomas Mann used to walk before starting to write. We think physical movement is good for the ability to think flexibly but only if the body is used to being active."

Many authors and artists have recommended fresh air or a long walk for firing up the neurons, to inspire creativity or to get rid of writer's block.

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