Mind the Splits, or Why It’s Time to Work on the Move

They say walking on a call boosts creativity by 60%… but they conveniently forget to mention the top-tier coordination skills required, so you don’t accidentally do the splits in the middle of an important conversation!

(Granted, this could just be me, but… you get the picture.)

All jokes (and splits, and near-splits) aside, swapping your desk chair for a pair of sneakers is an absolute game-changer. As much as we all love growing and thriving in our work (yes, this is a mild mixture of sarcasm and cynicism), the reality is that the modern workday keeps us glued to our screens. It leads to screen fatigue, burnout, and feeling more like a wilted houseplant than a productive human being. (I should know!)

If you feel personally affected by the previous paragraph, it might be time for change. Here’s why “on the move” might actually turn out to be the best daily habit you adopt this year.

(Those of you who know me know I spent a year virtually paralyzed a few years ago due to serious health issues, so you know that my passion for walking is not “just another post”, but *the* hill I’m willing to die on.)

The Power of Movement

I will not go into details about the benefits of physical activity and walking, though I can’t help but name a few:

• Increased blood flow sparks divergent thinking by up to 60%.
• Fresh scenery and sunlight give your nervous system a real break, not to mention the much-needed vitamin D.
• Gentle movement loosens joints and actively lowers stress.
• Breaking patterns by disconnecting allows for deeper, uninterrupted focus.

So, even if you’re just building your step count – it still counts!

Voice Notes & Walking Meetings

The study by Dr. Marily Oppezzo and Dr. Daniel L. Schwartz from Stanford University on “walking meetings” is super clear: the simple act of moving your legs significantly increases creative divergent thinking. (And by significantly, I mean the aforementioned 60%. And that’s a lot!) It helps your brain connect dots and generate novel ideas that you’d likely miss while staring at a blinking cursor.

Most people walk while they talk on the phone with a colleague or client. However, walking while recording voice notes or using audio diaries is an incredibly effective way to capture spontaneous ideas. It allows you to reflect on your thoughts and preserve your train of thought without the friction of manual note-taking.

On the Move – on the Double!

Clearly, you don’t need to start by walking a marathon. Start small. A single 15-minute brainstorm or voice-note session outside will do.

If you are on a call, let your colleagues know you’re walking. This will give them a heads-up about potential background noise and might even nudge them to step outside too.

If they resist, just remind them that getting fresh air and physical activity lowers stress levels and provides a much-needed break from the digital grind.

That said… lace up your shoes, get out there, and let your ideas flow.

Just remember to watch your step… and mind your splits!

P.S. Here’s an actual audio of me doing the splits in the middle of a serious conversation.