Mindfulness for Creative Thinking

Try a 5-10-minute walking meditation to cultivate awareness, turn on your divergent thinking and improve your creative problem-solving.

Both physical exercise and meditation have been shown to improve creativity, concentration, memory and overall cognitive processing. Mediation induces a control state that promotes divergent thinking, a style of thinking that allows many new ideas of being generated. 

Mindful walking is a great way to do power up your creative thinking and problem-solving. Below is a short guide to help you get started.

Before you begin walking, stand quietly. Pay attention to the weight of your body, the feel of the soles of your feet on the ground.

• Focus on your breathing for 3 breaths then start walking, slowly to begin with, then at your natural pace.

• Breathe in while stepping with the left foot and breathe out when stepping with the right foot. Synchronise your breathing and stepping.

• Pay attention to your senses with openness and curiosity. The feel of the air on your skin; the sounds around you; the sensations in your body.

• Walk for at least 5 minutes, or longer if time allows.

• When you come to a natural stop, allow yourself to stand for a moment, noticing how it feels to no longer be moving. Feeling again the weight of your body on your feet.