It's not just good for the body; it's good for the mind. And it doesn't have to be a walk. Any exercise will do.
Like I mentioned yesterday, reading is something that inspires creativity in me, and I haven't been doing nearly enough of it. Another thing I haven't been doing enough of (okay, any of) is exercising. It used to be that exercising was a time of inner reflection for me. It was a time to think. Many of my best ideas came to me when I was exercising. Well, when I get busy, it's one of the first things to go. And lately, I've been busy.
Exercise does several things for me (other than the obvious physical benefits). It clears my mind and opens it up for new ideas. It releases the stresses of the day, which for me are often about writing. And it gives me energy to keep plugging away. So like I vowed yesterday to start reading more, today I am vowing to start exercising more, that is, as soon I'm over this massive head cold I have.
My blogger friend, Eileen, has the coolest walking tool. It's a treadmill desk that her husband built for her. Check it out here. It has to be the best invention ever. She chooses to blog while she walks, which is great. It frees up other time during the day to write. There is nothing better than multitasking. But since my husband isn't quite as handy as hers is, I'll stick with using my exercise time to fill my mind with creative ideas.
Does exercise help you get your creative juices going? If so, in what way?
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Go For A Walk
It's not just good for the body; it's good for the mind. And it doesn't have to be a walk. Any exercise will do.
Like I mentioned yesterday, reading is something that inspires creativity in me, and I haven't been doing nearly enough of it. Another thing I haven't been doing enough of (okay, any of) is exercising. It used to be that exercising was a time of inner reflection for me. It was a time to think. Many of my best ideas came to me when I was exercising. Well, when I get busy, it's one of the first things to go. And lately, I've been busy.
Exercise does several things for me (other than the obvious physical benefits). It clears my mind and opens it up for new ideas. It releases the stresses of the day, which for me are often about writing. And it gives me energy to keep plugging away. So like I vowed yesterday to start reading more, today I am vowing to start exercising more, that is, as soon I'm over this massive head cold I have.
My blogger friend, Eileen, has the coolest walking tool. It's a treadmill desk that her husband built for her. Check it out here. It has to be the best invention ever. She chooses to blog while she walks, which is great. It frees up other time during the day to write. There is nothing better than multitasking. But since my husband isn't quite as handy as hers is, I'll stick with using my exercise time to fill my mind with creative ideas.
Does exercise help you get your creative juices going? If so, in what way?
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41 comments:
I love to exercise and work out plotting problems or come up with a fresh new idea for what happens next in my story.
OMG, what a cool Treadmill Desk. It would never work for me (I can't even read while exercising) but it is AWESOME!
Absolutely. Things spark after a run and I just chill out enough to be able to focus more.
~ Wendy
Well, I've never been one for exercise. But I've taken up yoga and pilates lately, and am getting into a regular routine. I'll be curious to know what benefits come to me the further I get.
I definitely get a lot of ideas while I'm walking, not so much when I'm running because I'm mostly concentrating on breathing.
Hi, Susan, thanks for the mention. I'm currently at 91.31 minutes while typing this. It sure reveals how much time I spend blogging, doesn't it?
For me, exercise in general gives me more energy, so it definitely gives me more time and quality time to dream and write. I've aways gravitated to multi-tasking, so this makes total sense to me.
Exercise definitely helps me. It clears my mind of the daily issues of work and family. I find my mind wandering a lot while I'm working out, and that's when the creativity starts.
As long as I don't have an iPod strapped to my head or the TV on. I try not to let myself have too many distractions. Some people think that makes the time seem to go faster, but for me, time goes faster when my mind is free to roam.
I love that desk! Looks like just the thing for the cold winter months. I like walking or hiking, clears the cobwebs.
I used to flesh out blogs while I ran - but lately I've just been planning what I'll do when I win the lottery.
Wow... I'm not sure I'd be able to type while exercising. That really takes talent!
I haven't exercised in a while... Should probably start while the weather is still awesome!
*groan* exercise, I know I need to get back to it, but man how I hate it
I could never pull off a treadmill desk (and, admittedly, I hardly exercise enough to merit one) but I still think it's totally awesome.
Exercise definitely fuels my creativity. But it works better when I can be outside or somewhere there's a view. It's not quite as inspiring walking at home, inside on the treadmill.
I come up with some of my best ideas when I'm walking. Someone told me it's because when the heart starts pumping, it sends more oxygen to the brain, therefore making you think more clearly? It also has to do with being out around nature and just breathing fresh air, although I had the same creativity when I was just walking the track at the Y. I think it's partly that forward momentum.
I love the energy I feel after exercising, it's definitely something I need to make a priority. But I'd be on a first name basis with the local hospital if I tried to use the computer at the same time. LOL. I'm not known for my grace or coordination. The complete opposite.
I LOVE the idea of reading blogs and using a treadmill! But how can you comment and walk at the same time. I suppose you could go back and comment once you've read everything? But I agree about exercising. I've started walking with my daughters three times a week. It's a fun way to spend time together and plus they're great at holding me accountable!
I want one of those treadmill desks! What a fantastic idea. I love to walk outside. Sometimes seeing something interesting (or even something not so interesting) will spark a new idea.
It's always a hot shower that helps me think -- exercising is the 'anti-think' for me.
I've been lagging on the exercise lately. Thanks for this post. I'm off to the gym!;-)
I tried to get on the treadmill today, but I was so tired... I fell asleep on the couch. I'm shooting for tomorrow! Plus I get the best ideas for my blog when I run.
Oooh! Great reminder to get off our tushies. LoL. Exercize does help the brain and thus the imagination. I need to start going out for walks at night with my little girl. I am going to start tonight!
I LOVE Eileen's cool idea for the treadmill. Told my husband to build me one someday:) I work out on it cause it relaxes me and I do some really good thinking when I'm on it. Hurt my heal yesterday so giving it a break today. I hope your cold gets better! That is no fun at all:(
Most of my exercise is walking with my mom so there's not really time to let the creativity flow. We're usually chatting.
But I do get ideas in other places when I can be solitary.
Wish some of those would come right about now. I'm totally stuck in my book.
I've always exercised. Swimming in the summer, elliptical all year long. But I took the but in chair literally while writing my novel. Packed on the pounds too. So I'm back at it, vowing to NOT let that happen again. UGH! But they're slowly coming off. :) Slowly!
It's driving for me.
Silly, but it works. I always think while I'm driving.
I realized I rambled on and on and never answered your question. I get my inspiration from walking around my farm, the hubby, and my son. The one that is having health issues. :)
Exercise is one of my main ways to both de-stress and work through ideas/problems/etc.!
I love walking and the elliptical! I love working out period, but those would probably be my faves. I like running too. Anyhow, I am like you... I work out for mental and physical health and it is so good for clearing your head and winding down after the work day or just from stress in general. I would say that a large portion of the ideas that I get come when I am walking. This was a great post! :o)
That table is so cool. I would love one of those. I always perceive exercising like a big waste of my time. Such a table would change that.
That treadmill desk is GENIUS. He should seriously market them and sell them. Now I'm just wishing I'd bought a treadmill instead of that darn elliptical machine! Hope you're feeling better soon!
Yes! When I'm walking I tend to think about my writing and scenes that could happen. :)
As I type this I'm staring at my elyptical machine. Oh, how I need to get on that thing, girl. Thanks for the push!
I do love her treadmill desk. I have to figure out something like that. This recliner with my laptop perched on a bed table is not conducive to a trim bod!
It's crucial to my contentedness. If I don't get active in some way, I get restless and lounging around loses its indulgent deliciousness. Whenever I start dating someone, they always seem to coax me into their laziness and, inevitably, I grow frustrated (and fat). I need to start dating active men!
I wish I could walk and blog. But I'd be too busy gasping for breath.
Sometimes ideas for books come to me in dreams. It's why I keep a notebook by my bed so I can scribble them down when I wake up. Otherwise I'll forget.
I am definitely needing to exercise. It does clear my mind, and helps me to have a more positive out look when things including my writing get challenging. I too let exercising fall to the wayside when things get busy, but mentally that is when I need it the most.
I know, I thought that blogging while walking thing was genius!
Today I discovered that you can buy books to download to your MP3 players. I know. I am late to the party. But we don't have kindle here. And I am planning on running while reading. How cool is that? I ask, then answer... VERY! :))
This is a terrific post, Susan. Although I love walking in the woods and/or doing my yoga and pilates, I sometimes need a push. In fact, because of this post, I went out for a 2.5-mile walk in the woods, then attempted to kick my hubby's butt at Wii Resort. He beat me good in basketball and sword-fighting, but I nailed him in archery, bowling, and table tennis.
Why is it I'm so much better at such sports on the Wii than in real life? The Wii really gives me an overdeveloped feeling of confidence, but I digress...
Like Amber, I find that exercising falls to the wayside when I get busy - exactly the time I need it to recharge my body and rejuvenate my mind! O, Fortuna, what ironic webs we weave!
P.S. Hope you knock that head cold soon - those are never fun!
I always think I don't have time to exercise, but when I do (especially in the morning) it just gets me going.
I usually pray while I work out, so it's not really a creative time, but when I'm done it's like my brain and body are ready to go!
I'm with you about the cold. I'm into week three now (it's officially bronchitis now). I'm going to see a naturopathic doctor today to see if he can help. Feels like my lungs keep getting smaller and smaller...so the exercising had to stop days ago! Hope you feel better soon!
I recognice myself on this one. Jogging for me is almost like, i don't know, yoga for other people.It is a time for reflexion, one hour thinking. Not talking, not reading, not even listening to the music i run with, because that's for my body and the rithm he is following, legs, muscles, of course i know the brain is controlling that. But i guess is in a different level. I am not an espiritual person that separate body from soul, but in a way some part of my brain functions, let's call it my intellect has one free hour for just thinking without having to be busy doing something. Is like when one is daydreaming in a sofa, but for a whole hour and getting in some better shape then just lying lazy.
Exercise is a necessary evil so that I can beat the fat and lethargy and yes, it gives me more energy and bounce!
I envy your friend:) What a way to blog!
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