Oz reminds us that there is no magic in the shoes. The real magic, if one considers it as such, happens in the heart and brain, bolstered by some courage. And since those gifts are readily available to everyone –– even an ordinary kid from the Midwest –– we might as well leverage them at every turn to derive the immense benefits.
You don’t have to be born a natural athlete with heroic tendencies, and you don’t have to be uniquely gifted. The life-shaping experience of a good run is there for the taking, waiting right outside your door. Among the many benefits, running provides a powerful catalyst for the creative process, functioning on all levels. The physical act of running increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which enhances cognitive function and stimulates brain cell growth, particularly in the hippocampus, a region critical for memory and imagination. This neural environment encourages divergent thinking when it’s properly exercised, allowing us to generate multiple, unique solutions to a problem or connect disparate concepts in novel ways, essentially helping the brain “think outside the box”. The release of mood-enhancing chemicals like endorphins and dopamine during exercise further supports this process by reducing stress and anxiety, creating a positive mental state conducive to creative breakthroughs.
I run because it’s so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can’t. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you’re capable of so much more than you thought.”
–– Arthur Blank
Beyond the immediate brain chemistry benefits, running fosters creativity by inducing a meditative or “flow” state. The rhythmic, repetitive nature of the activity—the cadence of footsteps, the pattern of breathing –– allows the conscious mind to shift into autopilot, effectively muting the highly focused frontal lobe that is responsible for orderly thinking. This quietude of the deliberate mind allows the subconscious to take over, making space for unbidden thoughts, ideas, and associations to surface, free from typical mental blocks. As many creatives have anecdotally reported, running becomes a dedicated time for “mind wandering,” providing a distraction-free environment, often in nature, that helps ideas incubate and crystallize into actionable solutions.
HOW TO USE RUNNING FOR CREATIVITY
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- Let your mind go empty: Don’t force it; let the ideas come to you naturally as you run.
- Change it up: Spark new patterns and ideas by exploring new environments, paths and sensory input.
- Embrace the routine: The steady rhythm can lead to a disciplined, meditative and mind-freeing experience.
- Don’t just run; brainstorm: Take a run to clear your head after a meeting or when you’re stuck on a challenge.
