“Stop talking. Start walking.” L.M. Heroux (from Skinnyartist.com)
New research is proving that the best way to get the creative juices flowing is regular participation in exercise. Making time for a regular walk may be just the ticket to new inspiration. Walking clears the head and starts the flow of endorphins. Everybody loves endorphins. Endorphins are those hormones that people dream of having more of. Endorphins are happy hormones! For more endorphins, get up and get moving.
The Telegraph has the story (here). Research recently published in Frontiers in Neuroscience reveals people who exercise regularly are able to perform better on cognitive tests. However, the findings also showed that going for a onetime bout of strenuous exercise won’t do it and may actually make things worse. The point is to exercise on a regular basis. The researchers recommend regular exercise at least four times a week.
Taking a look at what other artists are doing for inspiration will likely reveal that many participate in regular exercise. If not into regular exercise, now is a good time to start. Just don’t overdo it in the beginning. Make a plan to get into the habit of walking or running regularly. If already into walking or running and not finding inspiration it may be time to mix it up a bit. If the weather doesn’t permit an outdoor walk or run and the treadmill is the only option, go to the beach in the imagination.
Hanging a photo of the beach up in front of the treadmill can enable the mind to go there. Each step on the treadmill can be imagined as sinking into the sand along the water’s edge. Feel the water on bare feet. Smell the salt in the air. Hear the waves as they crash bringing fresh inspiration on the tide. Every crash of the wave is new inspiration flowing into the soul. With each step along the imagined beach, more endorphins will flow. As the endorphins flow, so do the creative juices. So what are you waiting for? Get walking!
That’s it, I need to start walking, my brain needs it!
Mine too!!!
And using StillWalks videos as a prompt to take a real walk is a good idea too. Plus they can remind you of the wonderful sights and sounds there are out there 😉
Absolutely!! Please add a link to comments! Great suggestion!!
I love walking! I usually walk every day. When the weather is bad I walk on my treadmill and watch virtual walking videos. 😀
That’s great!!! Another reason why your work is so inspiring!
Thank you so much for saying that! It really means a lot to me.