The Extended Mind

“Where does the mind stop and the rest of the world begin?” This simple question challenges how we understand human cognition and reveals that our minds extend far beyond our brains.

1. Your body holds knowledge your brain can tap into.

Our bodies are more than vehicles for our brains; they are active participants in how we think and make decisions. Subconscious data from our senses influences us, often without us realizing it. This phenomenon is called embodied cognition. For example, subtle sensations in our bodies can guide our choices, acting like an intuitive early-warning system.

One way to access this bodily intelligence is through interoception, the ability to listen to internal physical signals like a racing heart, a stomach flutter, or a tightening chest. Research shows that people attuned to these signals often make better decisions in high-stakes situations. Traders on Wall Street, for instance, have been found to benefit from this sense, outperforming colleagues by "listening to their gut."

Developing interoception isn’t hard. Techniques like mindfulness body scans can strengthen this skill, teaching you to tune into subtle physical signals and process subconscious patterns. This practice can help anyone sharpen their instincts and make more informed decisions.

Examples

• Traders on Wall Street outperformed by sensing their heartbeats better than their peers.
• Researchers found that our brain processes oceans of sensory data unconsciously, creating signals we interpret as gut feelings.
• Mindfulness exercises like body scans help people become more aware of their physical signals.

2. Moving your body can supercharge your mind.

Our minds function better when our bodies are in motion. Throughout history, humans evolved to think and solve problems while physically moving through environments. This connection between movement and thinking continues to benefit us today. Physical movement can improve memory, sharpen focus, and even spark creativity.

For example, a Mayo Clinic study showed that radiologists who examined images while walking on treadmills identified 99 percent of irregularities, compared to 85 percent when seated. Movement activates neural pathways linked to exploration, improving observation and attention. Even children learning math retain concepts longer when paired with physical activities like hopscotch.

Innovative thinking can also be jumpstarted by dramatic, imaginative movements. Take Jonas Salk, who pretended to be a virus in his lab to uncover the secrets of the polio vaccine. When we move, our minds become sharper, more flexible, and more capable of solving problems creatively.

Examples

• Radiologists on treadmills found more irregularities than their desk-bound colleagues.
• Children learning arithmetic through active games developed stronger comprehension.
• Jonas Salk physically acted as a virus to uncover ideas for the polio vaccine.

3. Your hands talk before your brain does.

Gestures are more than accessories to speech—they are essential tools for thought and communication. Long before we learn to speak, our hands express needs, ideas, and emotions. In fact, our gestures often precede our words, exploring concepts before our brain fully articulates them in language.

Research shows that letting your hands move freely while talking speeds up thinking. This is called gestural foreshadowing—when our hands "model" ideas, signaling meaning even before words appear. Gesturing also makes abstract ideas comprehensible to others. For instance, doctors use hand movements to explain complex medical conditions, making ideas tangible for patients.

Encouraging gestures can also unburden the brain by splitting the cognitive load between language and movement. This allows for more fluid thinking. So the next time you're stuck on an idea, let your gestures lead the way—they might show you what words can't yet capture.

Examples

• A doctor gestured downward to explain inflammation, conveying meaning without speaking.
• Children use gestures to process abstract concepts and make sense of new ideas.
• Gestural foreshadowing enables faster problem-solving by reducing mental effort.

4. Nature is a healing and thinking catalyst.

Natural environments refresh and expand the mind. Despite modern concrete jungles, humans are still connected to the rhythms and patterns of nature. Exposure to trees, water, and open landscapes can ease stress, spark creativity, and even improve memory.

Studies show that a walk in a park enhances working memory by 20 percent compared to an urban stroll. Nature’s repeating patterns—like rippling water or mountain ranges—engage the visual and spatial systems in unique ways, producing a calming yet invigorating effect. Meanwhile, encounters with awe-inspiring natural phenomena, such as towering mountains, can momentarily dissolve rigid thinking and break mental constraints.

Artists like Jackson Pollock harnessed this restorative energy. Pollock moved from New York City to the countryside, where nature's patterns inspired his famous abstract works. Living in awe of vast natural landscapes allowed him to create paintings that reshaped the art world.

Examples

• Participants’ working memory improved after walking through an arboretum.
• Fractal patterns in nature sharpened spatial reasoning in experiments.
• Jackson Pollock’s creativity flourished after moving to a rural setting.

5. Creative sanctuaries empower deep thinking.

The spaces where we work affect how well we think and what we create. Personal ownership and privacy in a creative environment enhance productivity and innovation. Tailoring your workspace to reflect your needs can reinforce focus and persistence.

Look at Jackson Pollock’s barn-turned-studio. It was messy, full of personal tools, and far from the city buzz. This refuge allowed him to immerse himself in his artistic process. Research supports this—studies show that workers with control over their workspace are happier and perform better. Conversely, open offices, where privacy is limited, reduce productivity and elevate stress.

The takeaway? Your best thinking often happens in spaces that feel truly yours. Creating a sanctuary—whether a desk, studio, or an inspiring corner—allows the mind to roam freely without distraction.

Examples

• Pollock’s studio offered serenity and ownership, boosting his creativity.
• Researchers found that personalized offices lead to better worker performance.
• Open office plans disrupt concentration and exhaust creative minds.

6. Turning ideas into objects organizes thinking.

When grappling with complex information, externalizing your thoughts—turning ideas into tangible things like notes or diagrams—unlocks clarity. Humans evolved to navigate, manipulate, and think with physical objects, not abstract ideas. This unique skill can help manage overwhelming tasks.

Robert Caro, the biographer of Lyndon B. Johnson, exemplifies this. He maps massive amounts of research on a wall-sized corkboard in his office. By stepping back to view connections or re-pin notes, he organizes his ideas spatially, making insights more accessible.

Interactive environments like Caro's corkboard don’t just store information; they transform chaotic thoughts into structured, meaningful patterns. This process, called detachment gain, reveals new possibilities and fosters more creative solutions.

Examples

• Caro’s wall-size corkboard converts chaos into coherent storylines.
• Workplace whiteboards catalyze group brainstorming by making ideas visible.
• Diagrams have been shown to improve abstract problem-solving in students.

7. Thinking with others multiplies intelligence.

Teamwork unlocks a different level of cognitive power. The human brain evolved in communities, thriving on collaborative problem-solving and shared knowledge. Interacting with others forces you to refine your ideas, challenge assumptions, and stay focused.

Physicist Carl Wieman transformed struggling students by introducing group problem-solving. Instead of listening passively to lectures, his students worked in teams, debating, teaching one another, and filling in gaps collectively. The result? Deeper learning and more flexible, independent thinking.

Collaborating activates unique cognitive processes that don’t emerge in solitude. Brainstorming sessions, active learning techniques, and debates can turn divergent ideas into breakthroughs.

Examples

• Wieman’s students excelled by solving problems in groups rather than through lectures.
• Studies show active learning improves grades and cuts dropout rates significantly.
• Debates force critical thinking and create fresh solutions.

8. Awe disrupts habits and opens the mind.

Awe is a rare emotion that recalibrates our perception. Whether evoked by nature, art, or the cosmos, it clears mental ruts and makes us receptive to new ideas. Feeling awe can reduce reliance on biases and help solve entrenched problems.

Psychologist Dacher Keltner’s research found that awe dampens self-focus and dismantles preconceived notions. It’s like hitting a mental reset button. Artists and thinkers from Jackson Pollock to astronauts have reported life-changing sparks of creativity after experiences with awe.

Integrating awe into daily life—whether through stargazing, attending inspiring performances, or traveling—can keep us mentally flexible and imaginative.

Examples

• Pollock drew inspiration from gazing over Long Island Sound.
• Astronauts returning from space reported transformative shifts in perspective.
• Keltner’s studies linked awe to lower mental rigidity and greater creative leaps.

9. Open spaces expand our mental horizons.

Open landscapes inspire big-picture thinking. Wide, open vistas signal opportunities, promoting exploration and optimism. For early humans, vast spaces meant survival. Today, those same instincts trigger mental expansion.

Spaces like beaches, deserts, or mountain plateaus differ from confined rooms by encouraging mental breakthroughs and long-term planning. Walking in these environments often leads to fresh solutions or introspective clarity.

Creating opportunities to visit expansive, open environments can help you think more broadly and envision your future more clearly.

Examples

• Artists and visionaries often cite wilderness retreats as incubators for ideas.
• Studies show strolling on a beach relaxes the mind and spurs reflection.
• Open landscapes also foster stronger creative imagery.

Takeaways

1. Practice mindfulness by paying attention to your body’s subtle signals. Use body scans to grow awareness over time.
2. When stuck mentally, move. A simple walk or stretching can clear mental blocks and spark creativity.
3. Rethink your environment. Customize your workspace to reflect your thinking needs and empower deeper focus.