I'm sure you've noticed, just as I have, how taking a leisurely walk really gets your juices flowing. Creative juices, that is. Something about standing upright and perambulating even the shortest of distances starts those wheels turning in the creative section of our brains, known as the Creatocortex.

Tens, even hundreds, of great ideas have come to fruition during the course of a walk. Maybe it's the air moving against our faces; maybe it's the freedom our butts enjoy when no longer being squooshed against a chair/bed/couch/bale of hay. Or maybe it's both those things. Whatever the reason, walking sparks a creative catalyst that not even the crotchetiest of old men can deny.

The phenomenon, also known as Creatowalking, has shown many positive results in numerous controlled studies that I'm sure exist, and would gladly reveal the details of, were I not currently in the process of making them up. During Creatowalking, activity in the Creatocortex increases thrice tenfold. The effects of walking on creativity are so astounding and totally real that I am walking as I write this article. I've fashioned a bit of a computer harness out of duct-tape and summer-camp lanyards, with the keyboard taped to my chest, the tower in my backpack, the mouse around my head like a bandana, the CRT monitor dragging next to me on the sidewalk, and 5 inter-connected 100' extension cords leading to a surge protector taped to my inner thigh. Even with the crippling weight and self-inflicted property destruction, I can feel the difference already, and I've barely made it out the driveway.

Creatowalking is not only a well known scientific fact, but a historically prevalent phenomenon. Thomas Edison, for instance, fine tuned his design for the light-bulb whilst sauntering through Central Park. Wayne Newton wrote "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast" while on a quick jaunt to the Piggly Wiggly. Homer wrote 2/3 of the Odyssey while pacing back and forth outside a bath house, waiting for the employees to unlock the doors.

And don't think it takes a long trek to spark the creative mindset. Benjamin Franklin dreamed up the printing press while searching outside for his pet squirrel. Dr. Dre composed The Chronic while bringing in the groceries from his 15 cars. Hell, Anthony E. Zuiker wrote the first two seasons of CSI while walking to the fridge to grab an Arbor Mist. Creatowalking is a part of our lives, and a part of our culture.

So go outside. Take a walk. And in the process, write the next three great American novels. Who knows, maybe one day you'll be walking to your car and you'll solve the world oil crisis. More likely, though, you'll be wondering if you need to buy cat food.

Learn more about this author, Andy Paulo.
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