Because this is a blog about the intersection of writing and running, I am going to try to post more frequently on how exercise--specifically running--can improve your writing.
With a PhD in English Language and Literature, I am a humanities guy, so no heavy science here. I'll make this connection as simple as possible. Exercise increases blood flow throughout your body, including your brain. Increased blood flow to the brain means more oxygen to remove toxic waste and glucose to deliver energy. The increased blood flow caused by exercise creates new blood vessels in your brain. These blood vessels penetrate into previously unaccessed parts of the brain, thus delivering food and eliminating waste in new areas. So, the more you run, the better off your brain will be. And if your brain is working efficiently, you'll be a better writer.
How much do you have to run? Well, really any physical activity will help, but at least 30 minutes of moderate exertion is the best. And if you absolutely can't do that, get out of the office at least once a day and go for a walk. You were not meant to sit in a chair all day, and this activity (well, it's not really an activity) is absolutely devastating to your creative inspiration.
So use your daily run for problem solving or idea generating. There's a reason why you find yourself coming back from a run having solved a problem that stumped you or finally working through a particularly difficult passage in your writing.
John Medina, in his fantastic book Brain Rules, explains this idea much better than I can. Go to his website here to learn more about how exercise benefits your brain. And watch his video:
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