{"id":9702,"date":"2024-01-04T07:15:13","date_gmt":"2024-01-04T00:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=9702"},"modified":"2024-01-04T07:15:13","modified_gmt":"2024-01-04T00:15:13","slug":"all-the-major-productivity-benefits-of-walking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=9702","title":{"rendered":"All the Major Productivity Benefits of Walking"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">W<\/span>hen you\u2019re in a work rut and can\u2019t get a task done, or your energy is fading but you\u2019re coming up against a deadline, you might be tempted to try powering through. After all, time isn\u2019t on your side, and there\u2019s work you must get done (no matter how much you might rather curl up under your desk for a nap). Even if you choose to take a short break, it can be tough to shift your focus without just getting distracted\u2014but getting on the move can help. A growing body of research suggests that walking has productivity benefits, offering a potential brain boost when you need it most.<\/p>\n<p>Sure, taking a walk takes time, but far from being counterproductive to a work goal, that walk itself can be a tool for figuring out how to get stuff done more efficiently, thanks to the ways in which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/exercise-and-brain-health\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/exercise-and-brain-health\/\">walking supports the brain<\/a>. Indeed, walking can boost several elements of productivity, increasing creativity and concentration while also improving mood and reducing stress\u2014meaning, you\u2019re likely to return to your work post-walk feeling revived, refreshed, and better able to finally tick that job off your to-do list.<\/p>\n<h2>The productivity benefits of walking<\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever had a spark of inspiration on a hike or even a stroke of genius on a walk around the block, chances are, that occurrence wasn\u2019t coincidental\u2014and the walking had much to do with it. A 2014 study of 48 university students analyzing the power of walking on creative ideation found that the participants\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/pubs\/journals\/releases\/xlm-a0036577.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/pubs\/journals\/releases\/xlm-a0036577.pdf\"><span>creative output increased by 60 percent, on average, when walking<\/span><sup>1<\/sup><\/a> compared to sitting, and that their creativity was also elevated above a baseline for a short time after they stopped moving.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline text-h5 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/productivity-benefits-walking\/\" current-title=\"Feeling Stuck on a Task or Problem? Tons of Science Says You Should Take a Walk (Yes, Right Now)\" current-image=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/AzmanJaka-425x285_418x278_true_70.webp\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-07-03\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/productivity-benefits-walking\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/productivity-benefits-walking\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/productivity-benefits-walking\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In particular, the researchers asked participants in one experiment to come up with possible alternative uses for common objects and found they were able to generate more novel ideas while they were walking, showing that if you have a problem to be solved, a walk might be the key to finding a few solutions.<\/p>\n<p>While a separate experiment in the above study also found that walking on an indoor treadmill was as effective for creative ideation (being able to develop a novel analogy for a prompt) as walking outside at a bustling university, walking in <em>nature<\/em> may have additional productivity benefits. It\u2019s thought that perceiving natural stimuli\u2014free-flowing greenery and trees, delicate flowers, a vast blue sky\u2014may help ideas to flow more readily. A 2012 study of 56 people who immersed themselves for four days in nature found that they <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0051474\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0051474\"><span>performed better on a creative problem-solving task<\/span><sup>2<\/sup><\/a> post-trip than they did pre-trip.<\/p>\n<p>Walking outside in nature can also improve your ability to <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/0963721419854100#bibr24-0963721419854100\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/0963721419854100#bibr24-0963721419854100\"><span>complete tasks requiring working memory<\/span><sup>3<\/sup><\/a> (say, remembering a sequence of numbers or phrases in order), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/neuroscience\/cognitive-flexibility\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/neuroscience\/cognitive-flexibility\">cognitive flexibility<\/a> (being able to switch between thinking about two different concepts) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/psychology\/attentional-control\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/psychology\/attentional-control\">attentional control<\/a>, or concentration, thanks to a concept known as <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30130463\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30130463\/\"><span>Attention Restoration Theory (ART)<\/span><sup>4<\/sup><\/a>. \u201cThis concept suggests that exposure to nature can enhance our focus and concentration, restoring depleted attentional resources and ultimately improving our cognitive abilities,\u201d says board-certified integrative medicine physician <a href=\"https:\/\/integrativeinitiative.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/integrativeinitiative.com\/about\/\">Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, MD<\/a>, chief medical advisor at <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.awin1.com%2Fcread.php%3Fawinmid%3D29239%26awinaffid%3D1097075%26campaign%3D%26clickref%3DSTMSTV-876699%26ued%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.alltrails.com%252F%26platform%3Dpl&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fproductivity-benefits-walking%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/cread.php?awinmid=29239&amp;awinaffid=1097075&amp;campaign=&amp;clickref=STMSTV-876699&amp;ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alltrails.com%2F&amp;platform=pl\">AllTrails<\/a>. \u201cConsider the outdoors as a natural brain booster and a resource you can access as soon as you step outside your door.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cConsider the outdoors as a natural brain booster and a resource you can access as soon as you step outside your door.\u201d \u2014Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, MD, chief medical advisor at AllTrails<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Don\u2019t panic if you can\u2019t get into a natural setting, though. Any kind of walking\u2014even indoors, but preferably outdoors\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5919946\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5919946\/\"><span>may have cognitive upsides<\/span><sup>5<\/sup><\/a>, and particularly if you use the opportunity to disconnect from technology, like on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/silent-walks\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/silent-walks\/\">silent walk<\/a>. \u201cWalking can help alleviate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/decision-fatigue\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/decision-fatigue\/\">decision fatigue<\/a>, which is one of the things that really saps our productivity,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.joyceshulman.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.joyceshulman.com\/\">Joyce Shulman<\/a>, author of <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWalk-Your-Way-Better-Change%2Fdp%2F1734257601%3Ftag%3Dwgtrx12094-20%26asc_refurl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wellandgood.com%252Fproductivity-benefits-walking%252F%26asc_source%3Ddirect%26asc_campaign%3Dno-campaign&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fproductivity-benefits-walking%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Walk-Your-Way-Better-Change\/dp\/1734257601\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Walk-Your-Way-Better-Change\/dp\/1734257601?tag=wgtrx12094-20&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fproductivity-benefits-walking%2F&amp;asc_source=direct&amp;asc_campaign=no-campaign\"><em>Walk Your Way to Better<\/em><\/a> and founder and CEO of walking app and community <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%3Fid%3D104860X1561639%26xs%3D1%26xcust%3DSTMSFT-1056107%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.99walks.fit%252F&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fproductivity-benefits-walking%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.99walks.fit\/\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=104860X1561639&amp;xs=1&amp;xcust=STMSFT-1056107&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.99walks.fit%2F\">99 Walks<\/a>. \u201cWe&#8217;re living in a world where we&#8217;re multitasking and moving from one thing to another. At its simplest, a walk just removes you from all that distraction, and by doing so, helps to restore your decision-making capacity and focus.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Walking is so powerful because of a combination of factors, says Shulman. As well as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/walking-improve-brain-health\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/walking-improve-brain-health\/\">increasing cerebral blood flow<\/a> to provide more oxygen to the brain, walking makes use of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theottoolbox.com\/cross-crawl-exercises\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.theottoolbox.com\/cross-crawl-exercises\/\">cross-crawl movement<\/a> (wherein opposite sides of the body move in sync), which may offer brain benefits, too. Not to mention, walking also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC10296541\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC10296541\/\"><span>stimulates the default mode network<\/span><sup>6<\/sup><\/a>, which is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/basics\/default-mode-network\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/basics\/default-mode-network\">system of brain regions that activates when you\u2019re daydreaming<\/a> (or not focused on a task) and can allow you to come up with innovative ideas. \u201cOur brain goes into a sort of automatic mode,\u201d Shulman explains. \u201cIt\u2019s like walking provides just enough mental stimulation to free the rest of your brain to think creatively.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On a psychological level, walking can also help you work better and more productively just by helping you<em> feel<\/em> better. A 2019 study of 62 adults found a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0272494419304062\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0272494419304062\"><span>30-minute walk in an urban park significantly reduced ruminative thinking<\/span><sup>7<\/sup><\/a>, or the tendency to dwell on negative thoughts. In particular, the study showed that walking in nature helps us experience awe and lifts our mood, which can then stop us from overthinking about the same old thing, helping us to move on to new (and potentially more productive) thoughts.<\/p>\n<p>If you need more convincing, <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27100368\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27100368\/\"><span>walking has even been shown to improve mood<\/span><sup>8<\/sup><\/a> in people who expected it to make them feel <em>worse<\/em>. Research has also found walking <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/12218740\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/12218740\/\"><span>reduces anxiety and tension<\/span><sup>9<\/sup><\/a>, and even a short walk can be beneficial; a study from 2018 found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6064756\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6064756\/\"><span>just 10 minutes of brisk walking boosts mood<\/span><sup>10<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>By a similar token, exposure to nature can lower stress and support positive emotions, too, and it also works fast. \u201cResearch has shown that even within the first five minutes of being outside, we can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/17439760.2018.1557242\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/17439760.2018.1557242\"><span>experience a positive improvement in our mood<\/span><sup>11<\/sup><\/a>,\u201d says Dr. Bartlett Hackenmiller. It\u2019s no wonder <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%3Fid%3D104860X1561639%26xs%3D1%26xcust%3DSTMSLS-1147305%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Flink.springer.com%252Farticle%252F10.1007%252Fs12144-023-05112-z%2523&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fproductivity-benefits-walking%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s12144-023-05112-z#\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=104860X1561639&amp;xs=1&amp;xcust=STMSLS-1147305&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.springer.com%2Farticle%2F10.1007%2Fs12144-023-05112-z%23\"><span>the combination of nature <em>and <\/em>walking<\/span><sup>12<\/sup><\/a> has been shown to have such significant psychological upsides\u2014and when paired with the cognitive benefits above, such a substantial positive impact on productivity, too.<\/p>\n<h2>How to get the best productivity boost from a walk outside<\/h2>\n<p>When it comes to getting the most from a walk, think about what you need and adapt your walk to suit, recommends Shulman. \u201cSometimes you need a walk in silence that lets your brain go wherever it&#8217;s going to go,\u201d she says. \u201cSometimes you would benefit most from setting an intention of a challenge or a problem that you want to sort out. And sometimes, you need to shake off the stress and build the energy, so maybe what you need is 20 minutes with your favorite playlist.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While all walking is great, to get the maximum benefits, take a walk within or near green spaces, says work coach and productivity expert <a href=\"https:\/\/shinebrighterconsulting.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/shinebrighterconsulting.co.uk\/\">Sarah Clarke<\/a>. \u201cWalking in nature encourages you to use your five senses, [which can] activate the calming effects of your parasympathetic [aka \u201crest and digest\u201d] nervous system,\u201d she says. \u201cIt also encourages us to think and experience situations differently by literally reconnecting us with our bodies. This somatic connection makes it easier to access emotion, memories, feelings, and creativity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Remember: Your walk doesn\u2019t need to be long, and the very act of getting up and doing it will change your physiological state of being, says Clarke. \u201cWhen your nervous system is stressed and on high alert, cortisol and adrenaline floods your system, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2907136\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" class=\"no-underline citation\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2907136\/\"><span>blood is diverted away from your prefrontal cortex<\/span><sup>13<\/sup><\/a>, which is responsible for executive functioning, focus, and logical thinking,\u201d she says. \u201cEven a brisk walk around the block can reduce cortisol levels and turn on your parasympathetic nervous system instead.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cEven a brisk walk around the block can reduce cortisol levels and turn on your parasympathetic nervous system.\u201d \u2014Sarah Clarke, productivity expert and work coach<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The optimum time to walk is when the sun is at its peak to optimize your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-get-more-vitamin-d\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-get-more-vitamin-d\/\">uptake of vitamin D<\/a>, says Clarke, \u201cbut the best time is anytime [you want or need one],\u201d she says. \u201cYou\u2019ll never regret going for a walk.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Shulman suggests building a walking habit that works for you. \u201cFind a time in your day that works more often than not,\u201d she recommends, or else become an opportunistic walker, and seek out chances to walk throughout the day\u2026 like whenever you\u2019re stuck on a work task and could use a productivity boost.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t underestimate the power of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/couple-walking-together\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/couple-walking-together\/\">walking with other people<\/a>, either. You can set a walking date with a friend, partner, or colleague, or take an IRL meeting while on a walk. You\u2019ll increase your step count, your connection with the other person, and of course, your creativity and productivity, too.<\/p>\n<div class=\"block-thin post-citations mt-[40px] mb-[30px]\" data-module-init=\"main-2020\/post-citations\" data-module-immediate=\"true\">\n<hr class=\"!border-seafoam-dark mb-[24px]\"\/>\n<div class=\"post-citations-content flex flex-col gap-[24px]\">\n<p>Well+Good articles reference scientific, reliable, recent, robust studies to back up the information we share. You can trust us along your wellness journey.<\/p>\n<div>\n<ol class=\"!ml-[18px] !mt-0\">\n<li>\n              Oppezzo, Marily, and Daniel L Schwartz. \u201cGive your ideas some legs: the positive effect of walking on creative thinking.\u201d\u00a0<i>Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition<\/i>\u00a0vol. 40,4 (2014): 1142-52. doi:10.1037\/a0036577            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Atchley, Ruth Ann et al. \u201cCreativity in the wild: improving creative reasoning through immersion in natural settings.\u201d\u00a0<i>PloS one<\/i>\u00a0vol. 7,12 (2012): e51474. doi:10.1371\/journal.pone.0051474            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Schertz, Kathryn E., and Marc G. Berman. \u2018Understanding Nature and Its Cognitive Benefits\u2019.\u00a0<i>Current Directions in Psychological Science<\/i>, vol. 28, no. 5, SAGE Publications, Oct. 2019, pp. 496\u2013502, https:\/\/doi.org10.1177\/0963721419854100.            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Stevenson, Matt P et al. \u201cAttention Restoration Theory II: a systematic review to clarify attention processes affected by exposure to natural environments.\u201d\u00a0<i>Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part B, Critical reviews<\/i>\u00a0vol. 21,4 (2018): 227-268. doi:10.1080\/10937404.2018.1505571            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Mualem, Raed et al. \u201cThe Effect of Movement on Cognitive Performance.\u201d\u00a0<i>Frontiers in public health<\/i>\u00a0vol. 6 100. 20 Apr. 2018, doi:10.3389\/fpubh.2018.00100            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Festa, Felice et al. \u201cMove Your Body, Boost Your Brain: The Positive Impact of Physical Activity on Cognition across All Age Groups.\u201d\u00a0<i>Biomedicines<\/i>\u00a0vol. 11,6 1765. 20 Jun. 2023, doi:10.3390\/biomedicines11061765            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Lopes, Sofia, et al. \u2018Nature Can Get It out of Your Mind: The Rumination Reducing Effects of Contact with Nature and the Mediating Role of Awe and Mood\u2019.\u00a0<i>Journal of Environmental Psychology<\/i>, vol. 71, 2020, p. 101489, https:\/\/doi.org10.1016\/j.jenvp.2020.101489.            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Miller, Jeffrey Conrath, and Zlatan Krizan. \u201cWalking facilitates positive affect (even when expecting the opposite).\u201d\u00a0<i>Emotion (Washington, D.C.)<\/i>\u00a0vol. 16,5 (2016): 775-85. doi:10.1037\/a0040270            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Murphy, Marie et al. \u201cAccumulating brisk walking for fitness, cardiovascular risk, and psychological health.\u201d\u00a0<i>Medicine and science in sports and exercise<\/i>\u00a0vol. 34,9 (2002): 1468-74. doi:10.1097\/00005768-200209000-00011            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Edwards, Meghan K, and Paul D Loprinzi. \u201cExperimental effects of brief, single bouts of walking and meditation on mood profile in young adults.\u201d\u00a0<i>Health promotion perspectives<\/i>\u00a0vol. 8,3 171-178. 7 Jul. 2018, doi:10.15171\/hpp.2018.23            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Neill, Calum, et al. \u2018Nature Contact and Mood Benefits: Contact Duration and Mood Type\u2019.\u00a0<i>The Journal of Positive Psychology<\/i>, vol. 14, no. 6, Informa UK Limited, Nov. 2019, pp. 756\u2013767, https:\/\/doi.org10.1080\/17439760.2018.1557242.            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Ma, Jingni, et al. \u2018Effectiveness of Nature-Based Walking Interventions in Improving Mental Health in Adults: A Systematic Review\u2019.\u00a0<i>Current Psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.)<\/i>, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Aug. 2023, https:\/\/doi.org10.1007\/s12144-023-05112-z.            <\/li>\n<li>\n              Arnsten, Amy F T. \u201cStress signalling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function.\u201d\u00a0<i>Nature reviews. Neuroscience<\/i>\u00a0vol. 10,6 (2009): 410-22. doi:10.1038\/nrn2648            <\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr class=\"!border-seafoam-dark mt-[24px]\"\/>\n  <\/div>\n<div class=\"disclaimers__after_content mb-[18px] mt-[16px] pt-[16px]\">\n<div class=\"relative mt-[8px] pt-[10px] pl-[0px]\">\n<p>\n            Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you\u2019re in a work rut and can\u2019t get a task done, or your energy is fading but you\u2019re coming up against a deadline, you might be tempted to try powering through. After all, time isn\u2019t on your side, and there\u2019s work you must get done (no matter how much you might rather curl up &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9703,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9702","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9702"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9702\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9702"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}