Eureka moments and exercise

Although I had planned to post on this topic later, after I had added musings on other creativity topics, I am bringing up the connection between exercise and creativity now because the connection has recently been pointed out in two blogs that I read on a regular basis. My friend Chad Darnell is a fabulous writer and is a funny, funny person (particularly if you like a particularly snarky kind of humor). To catch up on his "Adventures in Hollywoodland" go here http://chaddarnell.typepad.com/runchadrun2/ . Look for his entry where he got a great idea for his screenplay while hiking in Runyan Canyon, January 26.

The other blog that I read on a regular basis in which a connection was made between creativity and exercise is Meg Cabot's. She's the author of many fun books, the most famous of which is the Princess Diaries. Her blog can be found here http://www.megcabot.com/diary/ . Check out the entry from Jan. 27.

(Soon, I hope to know how to add links without having to copy out the whole link. But tonight, I feel like discussion rather than learning blog how-tos.)

As M.C. (as I will refer to Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi from now on, because even after first reading his work 10 years ago, I still have to look up how he spells his last name) explains, in his chapter titled "Creative Surroundings," "unusual and beautiful surroundings--stimulating, serene, majestic views imbued with natural and historical suggestions, may in fact help us see situations more holistically and from novel viewpoints. How one spends time in a beautiful natural setting seems to matter as well. Just sitting and watching is fine, but taking a lesiurely walk seems to be even better." (p. 137) He goes on to explain why walking (or riding a bike like Meg) is so important. "When we think intentionally, thoughts are forced to follow a linear, logical--hence predictable--direction. But when attention is focused on the view during a walk, part of the brain is left free to pursue associations that normally not made." (p. 138)

Seems EM Forster had something there in A Room with a View. And now all of us who kind of hate to exercise have a better reason to do so (as better health doesn't seem to be enough of an excuse)--our creative efforts will improve!