Writing by hand is an activity that many people neglect in everyday life. However, it is worth picking up a pen every now and then for various reasons.
Even in a digitalized world in which we tap on keys and displays much more than writing by hand, you should not underestimate the art of handwriting. There are a variety of benefits that come with using pen and paper.
From cognitive development to better memory, writing by hand offers numerous benefits that are often overlooked in our fast-paced digital world.
1. Writing by hand: Good for brain development
Writing by hand activates areas of the brain that are not used when typing, says Psychology Today. This is partly because writing requires fine motor control of the fingers. Therefore, when we learn to write by hand, the brain develops functional specialization, involving thinking as well as sensation and movement control.
If we use pen and paper more often, we train our brain to maintain these skills. The Wall Street Journal reports research showing that writing by hand is good cognitive exercise for aging brains.
According to Psychology Today, the brain development benefits can be compared to the effects of learning to play a new musical instrument. However, writing by hand is much more accessible. After all, we don’t need an expensive instrument or music lessons, just pen and paper.
2. Writing by hand: Better for learning
Handwritten notes are more conducive to the learning process than notes on a laptop. This is the conclusion reached by an article from the Association for Psychological Science. In three studies, the researchers found that students who took notes on laptops performed worse on conceptual questions than students who took notes by hand.
This is mainly because it is quicker to take notes on a laptop. However, this leads to people wanting to copy every sentence in a lecture verbatim. Those who write by hand, on the other hand, first have to process the information and rephrase it into their own words. According to the researchers, this necessary intermediate step promotes understanding of the content conveyed and is good for sustainable learning.
3. How handwriting helps you achieve your goals
Writing by hand brings us closer to our goals. For example, if we make handwritten lists of our future plans, we can better control our behavior in the present, according to psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson told Forbes.
This is because writing helps us derive information from our experiences. This information helps us better control thoughts, feelings and actions in the present. Writing by hand can also trigger positive emotions when we become aware of the importance of our actions for the future, says Peterson.
4. Write by hand: Less screen time
Last but not least, it is worth writing more by hand in order to spend less time on your cell phone or computer. A diary, to-do lists, visions of the future or personal letters, for example, are things that you can easily write with pen and paper and without a keyboard or autocorrect. Maybe this will help you if you want to reduce your cell phone time.
Especially with personal messages, you can express your appreciation to a person particularly well with a handwritten letter. Another plus point: This way you can slow down your life a little if everyday life becomes too stressful and too fast-paced for you. By consciously taking the time to calmly write a letter or diary entry by hand, you can focus your thoughts on the present moment. Writing by hand can also help you practice mindfulness.
Edited by Lea Hermann
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