Topic: What un-gluts you?

[Pam]

I run many miles. It helps!

[Pons]

It seems like doing something physical works for a lot of us. Interesting.

[Hannah]

Well, there is some science backing that up. I saw a report about how schools have foregone PE for more reading and math (for those lovely tests) and that has actually lowered scores, because exercise and exertion actually help your brain work better, since it helps oxygen circulate, and oxygen is what feeds the brain and...

Sorry. Neuroscience is a "hobby" of mine, but keep in mind that I have no medical training, and my degree is in creative writing and music.

[macdibble]

I heard that too. The most important thing we can do to help our brains is exercise. Maybe that's why so many old people deteriorate rapidly when they go into those full-service old folks homes?

[Pam]

This just happened to me this morning. Yesterday, my agent wanted a change that I couldn't figure out. I went out this morning on a run and EUREKA! 

[amberturner]

I remember when I was a kid, my mom went through some severe depression for a while. Her doctor knew it would be far too overwhelming to advise her to "start walking." So he told her to just get up and put on some tennis shoes. She did just that, and then a tiny bit more when she was able (standing in the front doorway, walking around the block), and that was the beginning of her recovery.

To this day, if I choose to put on tennis shoes instead of the flip-flops, inevitably I'm more energized and creative for the whole day.

[Aimee W.]

I have the worst creative moments ever. In the shower without a pen, and in the dark after I've gone to bed. But that's when the best stuff happens in my brain. *yarg*

[msw]

Mowing the lawn helps me.  I also keep a pen and paper next to my bed and I often drift off to sleep thinking about my problem.  That's when the brain shuts off and imagination kicks in full force.  Once I seem to have things figured out I roll over and write them down.  This has helped with a few hard issues... it's also had me scratching my head the next morning trying to figure out what on earth I was thinking when I was scribbling solutions. Other times I've fallen asleep only to try and remember the brilliant idea I had a few hours before.  It's definitely not a reliable fix all, but it can be entertaining.  This leaves the riding mower as my most solid standby.   

[macdibble]

When I try that, all the logic of my night time ideas dissolves when the daylight hits them!

[Michelle DP]

Well, there is some science backing that up. I saw a report about how schools have foregone PE for more reading and math (for those lovely tests) and that has actually lowered scores, because exercise and exertion actually help your brain work better, since it helps oxygen circulate, and oxygen is what feeds the brain and...

Sorry. Neuroscience is a "hobby" of mine, but keep in mind that I have no medical training, and my degree is in creative writing and music.

I always advised my college students to take breaks from studying and do something physical. It's not just the blood to the brain. While exercising you can turn off the conscious mind for a while and let the sub-conscious mind take a crack at it. The subconscious mind can be wonderfully creative--which is why so many times solutions come when we aren't consciously thinking about the problem.

[Andrea B]

I'm another shower taker. It clears my brain.

Other things that work are going on vacation (an expensive un-glutter if there ever was one), riding around in the car and observing life around me, taking a walk, or, if I'm feeling really adventurous, attending either a yoga class or doing a high-intensity workout (two completely different workouts with similar mind-cleaning-out properties.)

[Hannah]

Here is the exact news report I saw (thought I originally found it linked from SocImages) about how exercise makes your brain work gooder. ;-) http://www.good.is/post/study-gym-class-helps-kids-read-better/

[macdibble]

More gooder.

It seems like it's time to get that treadmill desk going. I might be the bestest writer in the world if only I had a treadmill desk to keep blood pumping through the brain thing!

[Hannah]

I know how you feel. I'm saving for a FitDesk, which is an exercise bike with a table for your laptop.