Nietzsche once wrote that 'all truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.' He wasn't alone. Darwin, Dickens, and Steve Jobs were all famous for their long, meandering walks. But what is it about the rhythm of our feet on the pavement that unlocks the gears of the mind?
The Default Mode Network
When we walk, our brains enter what neuroscientists call the 'default mode network.' This is the state where our minds wander, making unexpected connections between disparate ideas. It's the opposite of the 'focused' state we use when staring at a screen.
Landscape as a Catalyst
Changing our physical environment changes our mental environment. A long walk through a city or a forest provides a constant stream of low-level visual stimuli that occupies the conscious mind just enough to let the subconscious work on deeper problems.