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Why Walking Helps Us Think (2014)

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Re: Why Walking Helps Us Think (2014)

#11

Post by bootload »

0xFFC wrote: post #9

Sorry I didn't have time to read completely, I will read this when I have free time. But I wanted to mention this is completely reverse for me. Over the years I have found my body and mind are complete opposite side of each other. I have to complete stay moveless, and when I stay moveless for awhile that's when my mind will work at its extreme capacity. Moving, Walking, Talking, Writing, everything is kinda distracti…

"I have to complete stay moveless, and when I stay moveless for awhile that's when my mind will work at its extreme capacity."

Two different types of thinking. Focused thinking where all your memory slots are consciously controlled. Un-focused thinking (diffused mode) where random connections between different ideas are made. [0] The unfocused thinking is where you get the ^aha^ moment. So yes I'd reckon every programmer/hacker/scientist/mathematician is pretty much doing what you describe.

[0] Barbara Oakley, PhD, PE., "Focused and diffuse modes of thinking- a brief on how it functions" ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzjsk5e7srI

Re: Why Walking Helps Us Think (2014)

#12

Post by AriaMinaei »

biztos wrote: post #5

This may be today's least original comment, but I've recently discovered the magic combination of podcast and treadmill. (I knew them both, separately, for a long time already.) In addition to helping make 30 minutes of sweating go by much faster, I find it almost always generates a bunch of ideas. Like a little brainstorming walk, if you will, but all-weather and easier to schedule. My current favorite podcast for t…

The combination of (roundtable discussions|debates|audiobooks) with (walking|cleaning house|washing dishes|other chores) is the most productive procrastination technique I have. It changes mental context, stimulates the brain, and makes the chore enjoyable. I even sometimes do it while writing code. Of course, I can't take it all in, but I still find that it enriches my experience.

Re: Why Walking Helps Us Think (2014)

#13

Post by agumonkey »

AriaMinaei wrote: post #12
biztos wrote: post #5

This may be today's least original comment, but I've recently discovered the magic combination of podcast and treadmill. (I knew them both, separately, for a long time already.) In addition to helping make 30 minutes of sweating go by much faster, I find it almost always generates a bunch of ideas. Like a little brainstorming walk, if you will, but all-weather and easier to schedule. My current favorite podcast for t…

The combination of (roundtable discussions|debates|audiobooks) with (walking|cleaning house|washing dishes|other chores) is the most productive procrastination technique I have. It changes mental context, stimulates the brain, and makes the chore enjoyable. I even sometimes do it while writing code. Of course, I can't take it all in, but I still find that it enriches my experience.

I do chores as yoga exercise, never thought of adding podcast to the blend..

Re: Why Walking Helps Us Think (2014)

#14

Post by 3131s »

For any distance that takes less than 30 minutes, I almost always walk. For longer distances I ride a bike. Typically I'm walking to go exercise, and I find it to be the perfect warmup for that. I also find that it really helps my muscles recover the next day after a workout as well.

Re: Why Walking Helps Us Think (2014)

#15

Post by yoandy »

I used to go to Work every day by walking around 2 Km, without doubt it helps a lot to arrive work clear minded and in good mood. I think is even better when you walk in group and you talk to the others.

Re: Why Walking Helps Us Think (2014)

#17

Post by dmitripopov »

My physician strongly recommended me to walk at least 10 000 steps every day. I prefer to walk fast and for a long distance, it gives me a really huge productivity boost. However I try not to think about work during my walks, it is more effective for me. When I get back to solving problems after a walk I get an enlightment almost all the time.

Re: Why Walking Helps Us Think (2014)

#19

Post by posterboy »

yoandy wrote: post #15

I used to go to Work every day by walking around 2 Km, without doubt it helps a lot to arrive work clear minded and in good mood. I think is even better when you walk in group and you talk to the others.

chances are you were in a good and balanced mood to begin with, because you didn't have to rush and take a quicker alternative.

I used to run part of the way to school because I was notoriously late. At the end of the year I aced the gym class mile run, but overall my unreliability caused much concern in other topics. I maintained for a time that exercise is vital for a healthy mind, but because I didn't exercise on purpose, I couldn't take advantage of it.

Re: Why Walking Helps Us Think (2014)

#20

Post by jasonl99 »

RichardHeart wrote: post #6

Whenever I'm learning things when walking, the location an idea popped into my head is pretty much never forgotten. I'm not sure whether its actually valuable, but it feels like it makes the ideas unforgettable. I'm going to assume the value is real because: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_of_loci I think consuming some portion of your subconscious with repetitive activity frees up some blocking on your consciou…

I think you're right. I run basically the same route every time (varying distances a bit), through a county park that's literally down the same sidewalk where I live. I also listen to the same six or seven songs, changing a few of them every month or two. Most people who know this is my routine think this must be unimaginably boring.

But within a couple minutes, I don't even notice, and I'm just letting my mind drift, sometimes to the extent that I've overshot my turnaround spot by more than a mile just from a lack paying attention

Having experienced this, I can't imagine now going back to the "old way" where I have random songs that differ every time, or different routes that require me to pay attention.

I've often thought the repetitive nature of the same route and the same music actually encourages the metal drift.

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