What the search for the benefits of walking at work says

I have long called for Walking breaks Between virtual meetings. But what about combining walking with the work meeting? I am not the first or only one wondering about this.

It was granted, in a world of successive virtual calls, that the idea of ​​going out to work may feel radical. Exit from the outside with a workshop, a direct report, or your boss, may be out of work.

But we can surpass a simple and effective way to support creativity in the workplace, communication and well -being. The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “The ideas gained only from walking that have no value.”

Recent studies provide evidence that walking not only supports the individual Creative thinking But also helps reduce pressureImproving the mood and enhancing labor relationships when they are practiced together at work.

Why walking at work?

Stimulating your collective creativity.
Stanford’s 2014 study is still essential: the participants who walked, whether on a walking device or outdoor, produced much more original ideas than those who sat. Creativity increased by more than 80 percent, walking outdoors and not in a straight line that tends to raise the most new responses.

After a decade, the 2024 review in Discover psychology Among dozens of experiments, I concluded that low -density walking, and natural walking reliably enhances authenticity and different thinking. These are cognitive functions often behind generating ideas, solving problems and innovation. It is worth noting that the effect was present even after a few minutes of walking.

But what about walking with others at work?

Improving both your mood and connection.
Experimental study 2022 by Anna BornoliliPublished in Cities and healthExplore the experience of walking meetings between university professionals. Participants reported their feeling of more relaxation and vitality, with improvements in creative thinking and reducing feelings Social isolation. The study indicates that walking meetings can support mental and emotional health, especially for remote or hybrid teams. Quiet, natural walking methods are identified and free of traffic as perfect environments.

Get out of screaming and physical pressure together.
A 2024 experience with evidence Comparing walking with desktop yoga and found that both muscle and bone complaints, but walking was more effective in reducing the severity of those complaints. Although the size of the effect was small, the benefit was clear: it can provide short -air walking attacks during the work day a material comfort in ways that may be easier than organized yoga sessions.

It relieves Exhaustion Improving the positions of your workplace.
Study 2021 in Environmental Psychology Magazine Followed by the employees who have tension -related complaints Training In nature. Compared to a monitoring group, the participants informed nearly twice the number of positive changes in areas such as mental health and job satisfaction, and Self -respect. While physical health did not appear immediately, the benefits of mental health were great and permanent.

Suggestions to integrate walking meetings

1. Choose the right environment.
the environment Things. Through many studies, walking outdoor walking – especially in green or quiet spaces – goes to better results from walking inside. If possible, plan some of the safe roads rich in nature near your workplace. Even small gardens or sidewalks lined with trees can provide the psychological comfort needed to support creativity and communication.

2. Maintaining speed and duration is manageable.
Low -density walking (up to three to four minutes) is found to have the most useful thinking. Consider starting with meetings from 10 to 20 minutes. The goal is to allow the space to think and new conversation.

3. Open with a wave.
An organized question or issue can help framing the conversation, especially if it is not regular. The idea is to use a common theme to start moving together by discussing.

4. Calling inclusiveness and clarity.
Not all employees may feel comfortable or safe to walk while working. Consider access and comfort levels such as movement, weather, clothes and personal safety. Submit options. When walking together, the conversation can be alongside reduce the hierarchy and reduce the feeling of pressure that sometimes comes with face -to -face meetings.

Next week, try a short picnic with a workshop or a direct report. You may return not only with a better idea but also with more clarity and communication with your work as well as for those around you.