Move More to Write Better
Our bodies and brains were made to work together
It’s wintertime where I live, and there is a thick crust of snow and ice about a foot deep all over the place. Temperatures have been lower than normal, with wind-chill temperatures near 0°F. Like many of us living in colder areas, I just want to hibernate inside with blankets and tea and wait it out until spring.
That said, sitting around is nice, but too much of it isn’t good for me. It can be hard to sit for hours in front of a screen (for work or play). Too much time hibernating, and I’m ready to jump out of my skin. I’m either achy and anxious or achy and sluggish. If we aren’t careful, wintering can lead to extended sedentary periods. This is not good for body or mind, especially for creatives.
My writing output outside of Substack has been virtually nil, and it’s taken a toll on me. I’m restless creatively but also somehow blocked and stagnant at the same time. Of course, I want to plan and write and publish, but I can’t seem to find a rhythm or organize my ideas.
Since teaching keeps me bound to the clock for classes, meetings, and duty periods, time to exercise throughout the day isn’t an easy part of the equation. Running around the hallways at school to make copies and go to the bathroom isn’t quite the same as a brisk walk to clear the mind.
By the time I get home, my brain is fried, and my body wants to flop on the couch. Besides, it’s freezing outside. And never mind the gym membership I haven’t used in ages. It’s cold going from my house to the car and the car to the gym. And so, the cycle of winter malaise and creative blockage carries on.
A Covid reminder
Life was more flexible back when I was sheltering at home during the pandemic. After schoolwork in the mornings, I found a short walk energized me for afternoon writing sessions. I figured this out quite by accident. After developing a regular walking routine, I noticed an improvement in my writing productivity.
Besides the walk breaks after teaching duties, I also took occasional early pre-work morning walks. Then I’d go out again later depending on the day, the weather, and the company. Sometimes I’d go alone. Other times I’d go with my husband or a friend.
The more I stayed consistent about walking each day, the better my work and writing productivity became. When I moved more, I wrote more and wrote better. I did a little digging and found out there is science behind it.
Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash
Scientific American published an article in 2018 explaining the overwhelmingly positive benefits of exercise on the brain. One key passage explains:
“Exercise affects the brain in many ways. It increases heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain. It aids the release of hormones which provide an excellent environment for the growth of brain cells.”
This surprised me because I didn’t know once a person was an adult that growth of new brain cells was even possible. Upon further research, I found an article from the Journal of Physiology that clearly supports the notion that aerobic exercise is beneficial to the brain, including neurogenesis. It states:
“Aerobic exercise, such as running, has positive effects on brain structure and function, such as adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) and learning.”
I take both of these articles to mean we are primed for better creativity by aerobic exercise. More oxygen to the brain means better alertness. Growth of new neurons means we are better able to learn and create. Exercise also reduces stress. When we are less stressed, our minds can make space for creative work.
Photo by J. Kelly Brito on Unsplash
In the time I was sheltering at home, I walked at least five days a week. My writing productivity increased markedly as well at that time. Even during a stressful season of trying to teach from home and help my own children with their schoolwork, I was more productive creatively.
Stewardship and solutions for today
During the pandemic, walks became an indispensable part of my physical and mental health, as well as a shot in the arm to boost my creativity. As part of my stewardship journey this year, I want to restablish a habit of walking, despite the unusually brutal winter we’ve had this year.
My game plan is to do what I can with the time and resources I have instead of making excuses (and sadly, I do love excuses). My plan for the rest of wintertime includes:
Carve 15 minutes out of my prep period to walk around the school building where there is no snow or ice.
On days that are a bit less brutal, bundle up for a 15-20 minute walk with my husband after dinner—longer if it’s milder.
Stop donating to Planet Fitness and actually go there and use the treadmill. I can catch up on podcasts there as a bonus.
Park a bit further from the door of a store on purpose, adding some steps to my journey in to shop.
These little efforts, will help me regain some of the ground I’ve lost by wintering a bit too hard here at home. It will also help me shape up for spring, when I’ll hopefully be frolicking around as the world comes back to life.
Hoping you too find ways to circumvent wintertime’s restrictions and get moving more and writing better.
Community Garden:
Join in the conversation by leaving a comment. Let’s get to know one another better as we continue on the writer’s journey.
Have you experienced a similar correlation between your creativity and exercise?
What steps can you take to boost your creative output by incorporating more movement into your day?
Yes, walking does wonders!