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Our evolutionary secret weapon: forward momentum

Our Focus Mode feature, plus the science behind looking for beauty.

Onward Weekly
Onward
Onward Team
October 20, 2026

As humans, we've spent most of our existence traveling about 3 miles an hour, walking around to find shelter, food, and community. Our brains are wired to process information on the move, something that might not come as a surprise to my fellow pacers who, to solve a creative issue, naturally find themselves walking around the office to get the ideas flowing.

And, while since the pandemic we've seen a rise in leisurely walking for exercise, step counts as a whole are lower than they were 6 years ago. So, we've made (sorry) a step in the right direction with the leisurely walks but have forgotten how useful a tool being in motion can be to regain a sense of presence and get into the right headspace.

Pro-tip, while we're on the subject: next time you need to have a tough conversation with a friend or family member, go on a stroll and talk about it. Moving in the same direction, not facing them (therefore not being as confrontational with your body) significantly increases the chances of resolving the issue.

Bite-sized knowledge

The Optic Flow

When you have forward momentum, the visual world passes by you in a continuous stream. Neuroscientists call this "optic flow." This lateral eye movement actually quiets the amygdala—the part of your brain responsible for stress and anxiety.

With the threat-center quieted, your brain can fully activate its Default Mode Network, which is the exact state where disparate ideas connect and "aha" moments happen. You cannot force this state while staring statically at a monitor. To unblock a complex problem, you have to put your brain in motion.

Give this a try

15 minute reset

Next time you find yourself rereading the same email or stuck on a creative issue, step away.

Give yourself 15 minutes of forward momentum around the block without a podcast, a screen, or an agenda. Let your optic flow quiet your nervous system and process the data.

New In Onward

Schedule a Break!

You can often tell in the first few minutes how the day might pan out, workload-wise. That's why we put such an emphasis on planning properly here at Onward.

If you see your tasks piling up and meetings getting booked, schedule a break in our Calendar feature and remind yourself to squeeze in some forward momentum.

Remind yourself to get moving!

Sign in to Onward, schedule a break, get some forward momentum in the books and unblock your brain.

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