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Looking for inspiration? Need to free up some thought space for a clever idea to slip in? Then stand up and walk away from your computer.

It probably doesn't even matter if you only walk as far as the kettle and prepare yourself a cup of coffee, you are still more likely to gain inspiration in the process than if you stay stationary. If you are really serious though, walk yourself right out that door and keep going until you have your idea.

Studies of idea generation have continually highlighted the fact that many great ideas have come to people when they have put aside actively working on a problem and involved themselves in a relaxing activity or daily chores instead. I personally favor walking because it incorporates exercise which is so hard to fit into our busy schedules, exercise in turn being a known stress reliever. I am speaking primarily of walking outside, not in your office on a treadmill but even that would be better than sitting at your desk.

The secret behind it is that your subconscious brain needs time to work on the problem and it does this best when your conscious brain stops hogging all the resources. Think of it like a library where your conscious brain is sitting at the table with all the books on the subject piled up around it and your subconscious only gets to read over his shoulder. If your conscious brain goes out for a walk, your subconscious brain, who is powerfully creative, gets to check out the resources.

Like everything in life, walking yields its best results when done consciously. You can't consciously schedule an flash of inspiration to come to you on the 3rd mile of course but you can be completely aware of what you are physically doing.

As you start your walk, first become aware of your actual body. Forget the problem you are working on and focus instead on any stiffness or discomfort you have from sitting at your desk. Straighten your spine and set your shoulder back gently. As you take your first few steps, notice how standing taller enables the oxygen to flow more easily. Be aware of your breath and feel it flow deeply into your lungs, sending energy throughout your body. As you walk on and you feel more relaxed, check stiffness, your posture and your breathing again - improve it a little each time, elongating your body in your mind and feeling the continual improvement of energy flow throughout your entire body.

Walk at a pace that comes naturally to you. Do not focus on "getting exercise". Just enjoy each step and feel the

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