How a Simple Walk Boosts Creativity by 60%--Science Says So
Steve Jobs was known for his "walking meetings," where he would have some of his best ideas.
One of the best documented examples comes from Walter Isaacson's "Steve Jobs" biography. Steve Jobs and Jony Ive would regularly take walking meetings through the grounds behind Apple's design studio.
It was on one of these strolls--wandering around a flower garden behind Building 4--that the two hammered out the iconic shape of the iMac G4's hemispherical base and articulating arm.
This happened, not in a conference room, but out in the world, surrounded by nature.
Taking these long walks was Jobs's thing. It was his preferred way to have a serious conversation.
Steve Jobs is one of the greats.
He transformed our lives, and the company he built, in my opinion, continues to do so with devices like the M4 MacBook Pro, iPhone 16e, and AirPods.
In a landmark 2014 study, Stanford researchers had participants complete divergent-thinking tasks (e.g., "list all the uses you can think of for a brick) while sitting and while walking.
They found that walking--whether outdoors or on a treadmill--increased creative idea generation by about 60%, and the boost persisted even after people sat back down to work.
Go For A Walk
Simply going for a walk is the number one science-backed way to be more creative.
Now, imagine if you practiced some of the techniques I shared in "Thinking Outside The Box: 7 Unexpected Ways I Break Creative Barriers" while going on a walk. I could only imagine the opportunities you could seize.
This is a great example of skill stacking, which has the potential to put you leagues ahead of everyone else.
Why It Works
Engages the mind-body loop. Walking generally activates your motor system, which in turn primes the brain's default-mode network--home to mind-wandering and free association--making it easier to connect remote ideas.
Breaks fixation. A change of scenery or posture helps you "incubate" problems, stepping away just long enough to let subconscious processes untangle mental ruts.
Lowers stress. Even light aerobic movement raises mood and reduces cortisol, creating the optimal relaxed state for divergent thinking.
How To Use It
Start with short bursts. Even 10 minutes of walking can kickstart fresh ideas.
Then you want to unplug. Leave your phone in your pocket to avoid the lure of email and social media--ideally, stroll somewhere green.
Post-problem incubation is when you hit a wall, set your work aside, and walk before revisiting with fresh eyes.
When I'm working on software development, I often have to step away when I'm struggling to solve a problem. Coming back with fresh eyes is extremely useful when faced with opportunities.
Quick Recap: The Big Secret
The big secret is walking.
When faced with problems that you simply can't get passed, go on a walk.
Disconnect from the world and allow your subconscious to take on some of the work.
It works because walking engages the mind-body loop, breaks fixation, and lowers stress.
Best way to start?
Start with even a 10-minute walk with your phone in your pocket.
Give it a try next time you need to brainstorm, draft, or problem-solve.
More often than not, simply putting one foot in front of the other is the fastest route to your next great idea.
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I love this! It’s wild how effective a walk can be for solving problems. I’ve had more breakthroughs walking around my block than at my desk. It makes me wonder what our workplaces would look like if walking meetings became the norm instead of the exception. You have a way of making science feel personal and doable. I’m definitely taking more walks after this Idris Elijah!
I love how you blended Steve Jobs’ story with the science of walking. It made the research easy to apply to our own lives. I can confirm that some of my best ideas have come from walking. It’s a simple but powerful reminder that I needed. I’m definitely taking more walks this week. Thank you for this fascinating topic Idris Elijah!!