Can Exercise Enhance Creativity?

In this video, NYU Professor Wendy Suzuki explains her research that explores the link between physical exercise and creativity. 

Does Walking Make Us More Creative?

Stanford scholars Daniel Schwartz and Marily Oppezzo have conducted a new study examining the link between walking and creative thinking.   Here's the basic conclusion, summarized in an article from Stanford University News:

The study found that walking indoors or outdoors similarly boosted creative inspiration. The act of walking itself, and not the environment, was the main factor. Across the board, creativity levels were consistently and significantly higher for those walking compared to those sitting...  "I thought walking outside would blow everything out of the water, but walking on a treadmill in a small, boring room still had strong results, which surprised me," Oppezzo said.

To read these scholars' study, click here.  

Does Exercise Make You More Intelligent?

Forbes reports on a series of recent studies suggesting that regular exercise may keep us mentally sharp.  For instance, they write that, a Canadian research study found that, "A six-month stint of strength training slowed dementia in 70- something women."   Apparently, the cognitive benefits extend to young people as well.  Forbes reports about a University of Illinois study which concluded that, "Children  exhibit sharper thinking and quicker learning when they’re fit and exercise regularly compared with those who aren’t and don’t. Kids who were fit and exercised regularly scored higher on numerous cognitive tests and were also better at multi-tasking and memory recall."   Let's all go hit the gym!