The Active Muse: 3 Ways Exercise Will Make You a Better Writer

I figure there’s probably a gazillion writing tips on the internet. They’re about research, structure, plotting, and character development. They suggest ways you can write better dialogue, craft better paragraphs, and use adverbs (or not).

As abundant as those tips are, one vitally important subject?is rarely mentioned. How do you care for your body so that you will be a better writer? You might do a great deal of your writing sitting down, but there are at least three good reasons why you should have an effective exercise program. If you exercise, you will think better. You’ll be in a better mood?and?get more done.

When you exercise, you’ll think better

When you exercise, your brain gets more oxygenated blood. That’s good for your brain, and because it’s good for your brain, it’s good for your writing, too.

Exercise stimulates the brain and encourages new neural connections, increasing creativity and fresh ideas. A 2014 study by Stanford University researchers found that walking increased creative output by an average of 60 percent compared to sitting. The study showed that walking, both indoors on a treadmill and outdoors, improved participants' performance on tests of divergent thinking, which involves generating creative ideas.

Exercise improves focus and concentration. Your fit body delivers more oxygen and nutrients to your brain. That improves mental clarity and your ability to maintain focus. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that even short bursts of exercise can improve concentration.

Exercise, especially aerobic activities, stimulates the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). BDNF promotes the growth of new brain cells and improves memory and your ability to organize thoughts. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that regular aerobic exercise can increase the size of the hippocampus, the brain area involved in verbal memory and learning.

When you exercise, you’ll be in a better mood

Exercise is a natural stress reducer. Physical activity stimulates the production of endorphins, often called "feel-good" hormones, which can improve mood and reduce stress. One study of 1.2 million adults matched for several physical and sociodemographic characteristics found that the people who exercised had 43 percent fewer days of “poor mental health” than those who did not exercise. The flip side is that you can generate greater enthusiasm for your project and blow through the temptation to procrastinate.

When you exercise, you’ll get more done

Regular exercise improves overall energy levels, so you can be more productive. A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that workers who engaged in regular physical activity reported higher productivity levels than their sedentary colleagues.

Start where you are

Don’t jump up and think you’ll start a super intense exercise program right away. Start where you are. Build slowly from there.

If you’re new to exercise, start with simple light exercises. Go for a walk. Writers love walking because it helps us get good ideas.

If you start an exercise program, get a little help. Find a trainer who can help you. Consider a training partner that will hold you accountable for showing up.

Work a little more physical activity into your day. Stand up more. Take the stairs. Move around. Try taking brief exercise breaks during writing sessions. Simple squats or a walk around your space will do. Some researchers call these “energy snacks.”

Physical fitness is one of the great undiscussed writing tips. When you exercise, you’re likely to think better, be in a better mood, and be more productive.