One of the primary reasons people say they can’t get fit is they don’t have time, usually due to work. On the other hand, the prevailing advice on how to start getting more fit is to simply start walking.
Okay, so what if your job required you to walk? Problem solved, right?
Well, the likes of Tchaikovsky, Einstein, Jobs, and countless other brilliant people considered walking a crucial component of their work. If you’re truly interested in productivity and performance, how can you ignore the work habits of people like that?
Boost your problem-solving skills
A Stanford study explains why those great minds made walking a priority. The results show that walking clears your mental path for innovative ideas, solutions to problems, and general creativity.
Here’s the key finding:
The researchers found that creative output increased by 60% on average when walking compared to sitting. They defined creative output by testing “divergent thinking”, or the ability to come up with a variety of creative ideas by exploring different possible solutions.
Plus, you’re also more creative after the walk. So if you prefer to get back to your desk to get important things done, that works too. And you don’t have to power walk for an hour, either — a short stroll of 15 minutes does the trick.
Now, level-up your career with cardio
By adding walking to your job description, you’re already performing better. But if you’re bucking for a promotion over that ambitious Millennial who keeps bringing the boss surprise pumpkin lattes (out of season!), you might want to add in more cardio.
Research further shows that aerobic activity can improve your memory and overall brain health as you age. Now that you know this, you practically have to work out to remain competitive in the workplace, right?
Never mind that you’ll look, feel, and sleep better. And who cares that you’ll also improve your cardiovascular health, lower your blood pressure, and live longer.
We’ll keep those things between us. Clearly it’s all about work, given that’s what kept you from exercising in the first place. 😉
Taking a Walk Will Boost Your Creativity and Problem-Solving (Psychology Today)
