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The positive effect of walking on creative thinking (2014) [pdf]
11–20 of 174 posts
Re: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking (2014) [pdf]
#12Lately I've been walking 20 km per day (~12.5 mi). Takes at least 3.5 hours. I try not to listen to any audio -- I just let my mind wander.
To step it up a notch, I put on a weighted backpack (i.e. ruck). I'm typically carrying 30 lbs, sometimes 50. This raises the heart rate and roughly doubles the caloric burn. Low injury risk, too. Michael Easter's book "Comfort Crisis" has a nice chapter on rucking.
I just wish it was easier to contact nature on my walks. I live in a big urban centre, so it's not always easy. But at least urban centers can facilitate social walking -- I've found some fantastic Meetup groups where I can partake in social hikes.
Can't say enough good things about walking/hiking/rucking. It's foundational to the human experience. Get outside, everyone :)
Re: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking (2014) [pdf]
#13We are meant to walk. Sample size one, but I increased my walking from from maybe two miles per day to about seven miles a day about two years ago and essentially everything in my life has improved. There are so many benefits but if you choose your routes wisely, it allows for a kind of mental improvisation that is hard to do when sitting down. You can't write anything down, so you are forced to allow your thoughts t…
Same here. I went from 2-5k to 15k, in some days even 20k steps per day.
I incorporated walking into my daily habits. Before I would bike, take the subway. Now I simply walk. If there is a call, I dial in with no video.
Re: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking (2014) [pdf]
#14This could be part of why work from home doesn't work for me. I missed having spacious work areas, given my crammed apartment unit. I can simulate the walking for travel to work but that comes in bursts at set times, unlike just walking within a building anytime I feel like it.
Re: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking (2014) [pdf]
#15I've always thought that it's a form of animal cruelty to have people stuck in offices forced to sit through all meetings etc. when many 1 on 1 or other small meetings for creative purposes could be conducted while out walking.
I agree with you — some of my best meetings have been walking — but it's less natural in the era of remote work.
Re: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking (2014) [pdf]
#16We are meant to walk. Sample size one, but I increased my walking from from maybe two miles per day to about seven miles a day about two years ago and essentially everything in my life has improved. There are so many benefits but if you choose your routes wisely, it allows for a kind of mental improvisation that is hard to do when sitting down. You can't write anything down, so you are forced to allow your thoughts t…
What's your pace when walking? Do you walk fast like you're going to some place? Or do you walk slower than your default walking speed?
My default walking speed is brisk but comfortable. I walk usually two to three hours per day, sometimes broken up across multiple walks but often in one go. According to my phone, my average pace is roughly 3.5mph (but I'm not sure how accurate that is). I also live in a hilly area and spend relatively little time on flat ground but hills don't seem to affect my walking pace nearly as much as they affect cycling pace.
Re: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking (2014) [pdf]
#17I do my best thinking while walking. I wish more people did the same.. just the basic idea of letting a thought sink in for awhile. I will say that walking and staring at your phone is NOT the same thing as walking with your thoughts alone. Hell, I don't even put headphones on anymore while walking.
Re: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking (2014) [pdf]
#18I've always thought that it's a form of animal cruelty to have people stuck in offices forced to sit through all meetings etc. when many 1 on 1 or other small meetings for creative purposes could be conducted while out walking.
I agree with you — some of my best meetings have been walking — but it's less natural in the era of remote work.
If your neighborhood is walkable and decently quiet, walking on a phone call can work for 1:1s.
I've had some very nice phone meetings with either or both parties walking. Some with a good old fashioned cellphone call, and some with FaceTime Audio and decent headphones for startlingly good voice quality.
Also good for those all-hands or update meetings where you're just listening.
Re: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking (2014) [pdf]
#19We are meant to walk. Sample size one, but I increased my walking from from maybe two miles per day to about seven miles a day about two years ago and essentially everything in my life has improved. There are so many benefits but if you choose your routes wisely, it allows for a kind of mental improvisation that is hard to do when sitting down. You can't write anything down, so you are forced to allow your thoughts t…
Same here. I went from 2-5k to 15k, in some days even 20k steps per day. I incorporated walking into my daily habits. Before I would bike, take the subway. Now I simply walk. If there is a call, I dial in with no video.
Mid-sentence I thought you'd walk 15km per day. That was a brief moment of awe.
Re: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking (2014) [pdf]
#20I walk about 20-30 km every weekend. Used to do it more often before work from home.
It's a fantastic opportunity to think and blow some air
I've developed disdain for the hordes of disgusting fucks who never get off their cars because I have to live in the hell their laziness have created. Bad air, excess noise, lots of space taken. All this because they have to drive. The vast majority of cars is clearly not needed. Merely wanted