In today’s fast-paced business world, managers are under constant pressure. Innovation, speed, higher, further, better. In this context, managerial professions in particular are more challenging than ever before. How do we manage to unleash our creativity and develop new ideas despite countless deadlines? With the next brainstorming tool, the next productivity app? Much easier: with walks, yes that’s right. A simple walk can work wonders.
In this blog article, we’ll show you why walks in nature have a huge impact on your creativity and what potential they have for your professional life.
The science behind walking and creative ideas
Exercise is good for you. We all know that. But did you know it’s directly linked to our creativity? When we move, our heart pumps faster. It supplies more oxygen to the brain. The result? A more alert, active mind. Studies have shown that even a short walk can boost brain activity. From standardized creativity tests, walking has been found to significantly increase a person’s creative ideas. Nearly 100% of walking participants gave more creative responses than those who sat.
Exercise also releases endorphins, the so-called “happy hormones.” They improve our mood and open the mind to new ideas. We are more open to creativity, creating access to great ideas that are less likely to pop into our heads at the office.
The next time you’re faced with a problem or lack new approaches – get out there and unleash your full creativity. Don’t try to solve the problem by sitting in front of your desk. Instead, gain distance from your current challenge and approach it with the clarity it needs. It’s like hitting the reset button and coming back with a fresh look. A short walk can make all the difference. It’s simple, effective and scientifically proven.
How being out in the fresh air helps you with creative ideation?
“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche
Interacting with nature, whether through physical presence or even just looking at images, can provide significant cognitive benefits. According to the study, “The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting with Nature,” nature specifically can improve our directed attention. What does this mean for creative ideation?
First, the study proves that simply looking at images of nature has regenerative benefits. This means that even short breaks spent looking at nature images can refresh our mental energy. However, in order to unleash the full creative potential, directed attention plays a central role. We can train it by taking a walk. It improves our concentration and clear thinking, two central components of creative ideation.
A walk in nature or even a quick glance at a nature painting can do wonders for your creative ideation. It’s not just the fresh air that invigorates, but also nature’s unique ability to renew our mental energy and sharpen our attention.
Well-known case studies of successful leaders
Take Steve Jobs, the visionary founder of Apple. He was known to use walks to make important business calls. He reveals this in his biography. Or Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook. He, too, often invites people to “walk meetings.” Why? Because movement and nature open the mind. They encourage creative thinking and facilitate open, honest conversations, which are probably more productive most of the time than boring meetings at the conference table.
Practical tips for the perfect idea walk
Exercise in the right environment, nature, lay the basic building block to take your creative ideation to the next level. Here are key tips that will help you get it done:
- Choose a location: Find a quiet place in nature, like a park or forest trail. The natural environment promotes relaxation and creativity.
- Put away your cell phone: leave your cell phone at home or at least in your pocket. The idea is to free yourself from digital distractions and fully enjoy the moment.
- Take time: A short walk is fine, but try to spend at least 20-30 minutes out and about.
- openness: be open to new thoughts and ideas. Sometimes the best ideas come when you least expect them.
- Conduct walking meeting: Try it once like Steve Jobs and conduct a meeting while walking. You’ll be amazed at how productive such meetings can be.
With these tips in mind, your next walk will not only be relaxing, but inspiring. It’s amazing what a little time in nature can do for the mind.
Conclusion
Walks are more than just exercise. They are an opportunity to clear the mind, unwind and gain new perspectives. In our hectic work environments, we often forget how important it is to take breaks. But as we’ve seen, it’s these breaks that can make all the difference. They boost creativity, improve mood, and help us make better decisions. So, dear leaders and managers: take the time to go for a walk. Whether it’s during your lunch break, after a long meeting, or simply in between – the benefits are clear. And who knows? Maybe the next walk will give you the idea for the next big project.
