Stuck in a Content Rut? Exercise Your Way to Creative Inspiration
Let’s face it, running a business is a marathon, not a sprint. Between managing everything and the ever-present to-do list, feeling creatively drained is a common struggle. But what if the key to reigniting your content spark wasn’t another cup of coffee? (although, hey, I won’t judge)
Exercise isn’t just about getting those endorphins pumping and building muscles. It’s also the creativity hack I’ve used for years. Physical activity gives your brain a break from conscious thinking and lets your subconscious work its magic. This is why brilliant ideas often strike when you’re in the shower, driving, or on the yoga mat.
Whether you’re pounding the pavement, hitting the gym, or dancing like nobody’s watching – it doesn’t matter. Getting your body moving (not sitting at your desk stressing over what to write) is a fast, effective way to boost your content creation game.
Here’s why exercise is your shield against creative burnout:
Science Meets Content Creation - How Exercise Supercharges Your Brain
Keeping up with your business is mentally demanding. Exercise increases blood flow and oxygen delivery, giving your brain cells a much-needed boost. This translates to sharper thinking and a major creativity upgrade. Physical activity also stimulates the production of growth factors that promote the growth and connectivity of brain cells, a process known as neurogenesis. This benefits areas linked to memory and learning, making it easier to form new ideas and connections – essential for churning out fresh content.
Use the Power of Movement to Break Free From Creative Blocks
Some days all your brain can muster are the same five content ideas on a loop. Here’s where exercise gets even more interesting. Studies show it enhances divergent thinking (brainstorming a million solutions) and convergent thinking (picking the best one).
Plus, there’s a cool theory that during exercise, your brain takes a mini-vacation from super-focused thinking. This temporary “downtime” allows for more free-flowing, less critical thinking, the perfect recipe for those “aha!” content moments when you break free from creative blocks.
It's More Than Just Feeling Good
We all know exercise is a mood booster, but research suggests that’s not the whole story. Even if you’re not skipping out of the gym with a smile, your brain is still making those creative connections behind the scenes. Pretty cool, right?
Bonus Tip for Busy Business Owners: Walk and Brainstorm
Sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes to spark inspiration. You don’t need to become a gym rat to reap the creativity benefits. Even a brisk walk, a quick yoga session, or a bike ride can make a big difference. The key is consistency. Aim for some form of exercise most days, even if it’s just 20 minutes.
Here’s a surprising fact – some of history’s most creative minds found their genius ideas while walking.
Charles Darwin, and Virginia Woolf: Both used dedicated “thinking walks” to spark ideas. Darwin had a special path, while Woolf explored bustling London streets, chronicling the experience in her essay “Street Haunting.”
Ludwig van Beethoven and Dorothy Wordsworth: These creative forces weren’t confined indoors. Beethoven composed on long walks in nature, and Dorothy Wordsworth’s walking adventures with her brother William inspired her writing.
Albert Einstein and Cheryl Strayed: Not all walks are the same. Einstein used activities like violin playing and sailing to spark inspiration during moments of calm focus. Cheryl Strayed’s epic solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, while not a traditional “thinking walk,” demonstrates the power of extended movement for self-discovery.
The proof is in the sweat (and the content) – studies show that people who exercise regularly tend to be more creative. Plus, countless successful entrepreneurs swear by their exercise routines.
So ditch the excuses and get your body moving. Brainstorm content ideas while you walk, dance or deadlift. You might surprise yourself with the creative gems that pop into your head when you’re not chained to your desk.
Great read thank you. I’m terrible for having a million things going on at once, actually not achieving anything and by the end of it I’m exhausted. I really do need to prioritise some fitness for the reasons you have talked about and boost my rut with marketing/media mind.
Thanks for reading! Most business owners are guilty of trying to do too much, so you’re not alone there.
Blocking out time for exercise is so important, it helps us focus better during the day and have the stamina for the hectic times. It’s also good for improving sleep, and the more rested we are, the more we can handle during the day.
At first it feels like a sacrifice – cutting time out of the day to exercise. But soon you see it gives you more energy to get more done (as well as boosting those creative vibes!).