A “Fart Walk” for Your Brain: Why a Post-Meeting Stroll Might Be the Best Communication Tool You’re Not Using

We’ve all heard of the post-meal walk. Maybe you’ve even tried one recently—except now, thanks to social media, it has a slightly less elegant name: the fart walk. As unglamorous as it sounds, the science behind it is solid. Walking after eating can boost digestion, regulate blood sugar, and even lift your mood. And what if we expanded that concept?

What if we treated a quick walk as a digestive aid—and as a mental reset?

In the same way a fart walk helps the body process and release what it doesn’t need, a walk after (or before) a high-stakes meeting or presentation can help clear the cognitive clutter—stress, adrenaline, looping thoughts—so you can return with more clarity, focus, and presence.

Let’s call it a “fart walk for your brain.” 

Why Your Brain Needs a Digestive System, Too

Note “Scientifickness” incoming: When you walk, your body engages in a series of micro-movements that regulate everything from blood flow to mood. And there’s more going on under the surface. Mild physical activity stimulates the nervous system, helping to process tension and shift your brain from a high-alert state into a calmer, more reflective mode. Translation: Walking good.

Here’s what a quick 5–10 minute brain-clearing walk can do for your communication:

•  Neutralize nerves. Walking lowers cortisol and adrenaline levels, helping you transition from reactive to responsive. That pre-meeting edge? It softens.
•  Enhance clarity. Movement boosts blood flow to the brain’s prefrontal cortex—the part responsible for decision-making, strategic thinking, and social interactions.
•  Digest feedback. Like you need to process a meal, you need time to metabolize information. A post-presentation walk can help you reflect without ruminating, whether you are the speaker or the receiver of the information.
•  Improve tone and delivery. By releasing tension, you’re more likely to enter your next conversation relaxed, open, and engaged—not defensive or robotic.
•  Activate creative thought. Some of our best ideas show up after the main event—when we’re no longer trying to impress, perform, or prove something. 

When to Walk It Out

You don’t need a nature trail or a 60-minute block on your calendar. A simple lap around the building or a few blocks down the street will do. The key is consistency and intention.

Try this:

•  Before a big meeting: Take a 5-minute walk with no podcast, no phone—simply let your thoughts wander. Breathe deeply and focus on movement.
•  After a tough conversation: Step outside. Let the air shift your energy. What’s worth keeping from that conversation, and what can you let go of?
•  In between stacked Zooms: Your brain is not a filing cabinet. Give it room to decompress. Even 3 minutes of movement can prevent information overload.

The Link Between Gut Health and Communication

The original fart walk isn’t only internet slang—it’s rooted in science. A recent article in TIME highlights how post-meal movement can support digestion, reduce bloating, and even lift your mood. Gastroenterologists explain that walking stimulates the gut-brain axis, helping your nervous system reset along with your digestive tract.

When it comes to how I eat and move around a big presentation, I follow a few self-imposed guidelines—and yes, I am fairly consistent (and if you see me at a conference with a glass of wine, let’s simply agree to look the other way). I steer clear of heavy meals and alcohol, and I make it a point to keep up with my yoga and meditation practice. Walks are part of the equation, too. Especially on days packed with back-to-back Zooms or during full-day workshops, getting outside—even for a few minutes—helps me refocus, release tension, and re-energize. All the “re’s,” really.

When you take a fart walk after dinner, you’re helping your body pass gas, yes, and you’re also giving your brain a reset. The same logic applies to our working minds: we need space to release pressure, regulate our emotional state, and come back grounded.

Final Thought: Don’t Sit With It, Walk With It

We often try to “power through” our days—mentally and emotionally constipated—hoping the next coffee or calendar block will clear things up. And it rarely works that way. Like your body needs time and motion to process a big meal, your mind needs space to recover from high-energy moments.

So, the next time you feel mentally bloated from overthinking or over-talking, take a walk. Let your brain fart. And come back a little lighter, a little sharper, and a lot more human.

Ready to Take a Mental Fart Walk… Digitally?

If clearing your head with a walk can help you communicate more clearly, imagine what you could do with a dedicated space to reset, reflect, and refine your message—digitally.

That’s exactly what Digital Encore is designed for: a focused, strategic reset for your communication mindset. It’s not another webinar. It’s a curated experience built to help you show up sharper, speak with more impact, and lead with clarity—without burning out.

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