Time for Thinking: Why Movement Creates Mental Space
I spent years believing that serious thinking happened at desks.
In college, I'd camp out in the library for hours, thinking that sitting still was how breakthroughs happened. Sometimes they did, but more often, I'd find myself stuck in mental loops, making little progress despite the time invested.
The shift came after college, when regular exercise became part of my routine. What started as physical training revealed something unexpected – my mind worked differently when my body was in motion.
The Unexpected Discovery
It happened during an ordinary morning run. I started listening to podcasts while jogging to make use of the time. Soon I noticed something: I was processing information more effectively while moving than I ever did sitting down.
Ideas connected more naturally. Problems that felt complex at my desk often simplified after a few miles. The rhythm of movement created space where my thinking could flow without the friction I felt when forcing concentration.
This pattern has been echoed by men who join Wonder Gym sessions: "I solve problems better when I'm moving." "My clearest thinking happens during workouts." "Sometimes I just need to move to get unstuck."
What Science Tells Us
There's compelling research explaining why movement enhances thinking. When we exercise:
Our brains receive more fuel. Physical activity immediately increases cerebral blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients that support cognitive function (Querido & Sheel, 2007).
A unique mental state emerges. Researcher Arne Dietrich identified "transient hypofrontality" during exercise – a temporary shift in brain activity that reduces our analytical self-criticism and opens space for new connections and insights (Dietrich, 2003).
This science helps explain the findings from Stanford's creativity research, where walking increased creative output by 60% compared to sitting. The researchers concluded that walking "opens up the free flow of ideas" (Oppezzo & Schwartz, 2014).
Our Modern Thinking Problem
Today, we face a paradoxical challenge: we're expected to produce more innovative thinking than ever before, yet we've structured our lives to eliminate the conditions that foster good thinking.
We sit in meetings expecting breakthrough ideas. We stare at screens hoping for clarity. We fill every potential moment of mental space with inputs, notifications, and distractions.
The result is predictable – mental fatigue, diminished creativity, and a nagging sense that we're not thinking as clearly as we could be.
Creating Space for Thought
This connection between movement and clarity is what inspired Wonder Gym. What if our workouts weren't just about physical transformation, but about creating ideal conditions for thinking?
During our sessions, I see how movement opens mental doorways. As physical challenge creates engagement, thinking shifts. The journal method we've developed captures these insights, whether they emerge from reflection prompts or thought-provoking content that sparks new connections.
The key is intentionality – approaching movement as an opportunity for mental exploration rather than just physical development.
Your Thinking Challenge
Here's an experiment to try this week:
Identify a question you've been contemplating
Take a 30-minute walk or do your regular workout
Hold this question lightly in your mind as you move
Notice what thoughts emerge without forcing answers
Capture any insights afterward
You'll likely discover that movement creates a different quality of thinking – more fluid, less constrained, and often more insightful than sitting still allows.
In a culture that separates physical from mental activity, integrating them might be the simplest way to enhance your thinking. Your body isn't separate from your mind – it might be the key to unlocking your best thoughts.
Sources:
Dietrich, A. (2003). Functional neuroanatomy of altered states of consciousness: The transient hypofrontality hypothesis. Consciousness and Cognition, 12(2), 231-256.
Oppezzo, M., & Schwartz, D. L. (2014). Give your ideas some legs: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 40(4), 1142-1152.
Querido, J. S., & Sheel, A. W. (2007). Regulation of cerebral blood flow during exercise. Sports medicine, 37(9), 765-782.