Originally Posted by
Machka
I can see why the creativity might not be stimulated if you cycle in the city or other heavily trafficked area where you've got to concentrate on the traffic, people etc. And that's partly why I don't like cycling in the city ... too much going on, not enough down time where I can just think.
It's not just that you get some free thinking time while exercising (although I agree, that can be a great benefit) - there's a lot more going on. Exercise stimulates neuronal branching and connections, releases endorphins that enhance well-being, lowers levels of harmful stress hormones and probably other toxins, promotes more complete restful sleep that enhances daytime alertness and brain health, and stimulates the learning areas in the brain. The challenges of paying attention to multiple stimuli while cycling in the city may not allow you to work on your other ideas
at that moment, but they do help tune up your brain for thinking about stuff later.