Exercise Creativity

Go Play. As kids our parents often told us to "Go outside and play." It's not until we become parents ourselves that we fathom the wisdom of their ramblings. While many artistic people believe that it is going outdoors for a run that eases their 'block' in composition, scientific evidence suggests it's physical exercise, or playing.

Musicians, artists and writers say running can aid their creative thinking.  

“Bid me run, and I will strive with things impossible.” (Shakespeare, Julius Caesar).

Physical Exercise, Mood and Creativity
The  ideas was debated in sports science 10-15 years ago that physical exercise could enhance creative thinking. Some scientists found that exercise enhanced creativity occasionally. Other scientists researched the impact of various physical activities on mood and found that for some sports a single session could improve an individual’s mood.

Physical Exercise Enhances Creativity
In 1997, Scientific evidence of a definite link was reported between exercise and creativity – giving some support to the stories of artistic runners. Psychologists found that exercising or playing enhanced an individual’s creativity. Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (Volume 31, Issue 3), Steinberg and colleagues from Middlesex University, United Kingdom reported findings that mood and creativity were improved by physical exercise independently of each other.

Exercise for Creative Breakthroughs
The Runner’s World Guide to Running states that running ‘helps you to reach creative breakthroughs’ (p.25). Psychological research has found that bodily movement can enhance creative thinking. This supports the belief held by many men and women that going for a run can help them problem solve and overcome mental blocks. Running as a creative outlet can also bring wider benefits to health and wellbeing.

Benefits of Creativity
Studies have shown that there are several wider health and social benefits to creativity. Most creativity experts do agree that the benefits of creative expression include:

• Concentration on creative works strengthen the immune system
• Creativity releases emotions, reduces pain and contributes to repair of physical injury
• Personalised creations – of music, art, storytelling and writing – can lift self-esteem

If exercise can enhance our creativity regardless of our mood and bring such rewards, then let's "Go outside and play!"

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Draw In Your Audience With A Comic Strip

Just like public speakers begin their seminars with a joke to get the attention of their audience, using comic strips can help brand your marketing and drive home important messages. Although surprisingly inexpensive to acquire, humor can be one of your most powerful marketing tools.

Humor puts your readers at ease. Readers appreciate a touch of humor in an otherwise overly serious world. Humor operates on an emotional level, driving home your message in a far more memorable way than words alone. Humor makes sensitive topics more approachable while summarizing and reinforcing points that would otherwise be lost.

Why does this make comic strips perfect for print communications? Because readers will typically check them out before reading the adjacent articles. More importantly, comic strips communicate at a glance. A comic strip can attract your reader’s attention and drive home an important point in a memorable way.

Humor also adds a visual dimension to your marketing, differentiating your message from your competitor’s. Comic strips encourage readers to look at topics they might otherwise skip.

Where do you get custom created comic strips that market your message? If you see a comic strip you like on a blog or website, write the cartoonist in care of the publication and ask about availability and pricing. If there is a particular cartoonist whose style you like, contact the cartoonist about a custom comic strip. This has worked very well for Bruce Sallan and he owns total rights to use the comic strip as he wishes.

Comic strips are great for the home page of your website, newsletters, training materials and presentation visuals. In each case, the unexpectedness of a comic strip immediately captures your audience or reader’s attention and visually reinforces your message.

Using humor in the form of comic strips is a powerful way to brand your marketing and drive home important messages to your prospects and clients. Not only are comic strips fun, it’s easy to get started and they work like magic to increase sales and attract brand new clients. Contact VoogDesigns@gmail.com for a creative consultation to discuss your custom comic strip today.

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