Why Imagination Is a Muscle
When we think of “fitness,” we usually think of walking, lifting weights, or stretching. But there is one muscle we often neglect, and it is perhaps the most important one for our long-term vitality: Our Imagination.
In my children’s book, Dolly Duitt, the main character has to be incredibly creative to solve her tasks. She doesn’t have a smartphone to tell her what to do; she has to figure it out.
Sadly, many adults have lost this ability.
The “Search Engine” Trap
Why do we lose our imagination as we age? I believe it is because we have stopped reaching for it.
So often, we refer to outside sources for answers immediately. If we have a problem, we type it into a search engine, and the internet provides everything we need to know to deal with the situation. We are spoon-fed solutions.
But where there is no reference book and no Google, a person has to think through situations on their own. This is where true imagination lives. It lives in the struggle of solving a problem using only your own mind.
How to “Gym” Your Brain
If imagination is a muscle, how do we exercise it?
Read a story.
There is a distinct difference between watching a story on television and reading one in a book.
- TV: The visual is done for you. You are a passive observer.
- Reading: You must “fill in the gaps.” You have to build the world, see the characters, and feel what they feel.
When we visualize the narrative, we start to think like the characters. This mental gymnastics does more than just entertain us; it keeps our minds nimble.
The more problem-solving activities we do (like reading or creative thinking), the more we keep conditions like dementia away. Exercising your imagination enables your brain to stay mentally young.
The Power of the Mind: The Placebo Effect
This ability to visualize isn’t just for fun—it can actually influence your physical health. We often call this the Placebo Effect or Psychosomatic influence.
The mind is a powerful resource.
- The Negative: Just as people can make themselves ill by obsessively thinking and acting as if they are sick (a condition known as Munchausen Syndrome), the mind can create stress that degrades the body.
- The Positive: Thinking and acting “well” can help delay or prevent the onset of disease processes.
Our body is always in a state of self-repair. While our ability to heal decreases as we age, a healthy, imaginative attitude goes a long way toward helping the body move toward a state of wellness.
A Doctor’s Note of Caution: While the mind is powerful, it is not magic. If the body is affected by a serious bacterial or viral illness, it is unlikely to go away just by “thinking about it.” We must balance a positive mindset with proper medical care.
The Takeaway
This week, I challenge you to put down the phone and pick up a book—whether it’s a novel for you or Dolly Duitt for your grandchildren.
Stop searching for the answer, and start imagining it. Your brain will thank you.