5 reasons to write by hand more often

Laptops, tablets and electronic editors have long eclipsed pens and pencils. Meanwhile, a regular paper notebook can bring much more benefit to the brain. Here are some facts that prove that writing by hand is really useful.

1. We remember information better

The process of writing involves a special area of ​​the brain, the so-called reticular activating system (RAS). It acts as a filter — it blocks the processing of extraneous information. Drawing letters with a pen or pencil on paper, we concentrate better and force the brain to pay attention to what we write.

Virginia Berninger, a psychologist at the University of Washington, explains the differences between a pen and a keyboard: “You move more, because each letter has its own set of elements, and working on a computer is monotonous — you only need to press a key each time.” In addition, calligraphy classes help fight dyslexia.

2. We improve our speech

Many famous personalities (Truman Capote, Woody Allen, Susan Sontag) preferred to write novels and plays by hand even when their colleagues moved to the keyboard. For example, Capote admitted that, starting to work on a new novel, he always made notes with a pen and only then retyped the text on a typewriter.

In 2009, psychologists at the University of Washington found that students who wrote essays by hand had richer and more varied text, used more complex phrases, and completed the task faster than their peers who typed on a computer.

3. It’s easier for us to focus

Computer work overloads our sensory system. Screen flickering, cursor movements, the temptation to access any information in one click — all this dulls the ability to be creative. On the contrary, when there is only a sheet of paper and a pen in front of you, the brain does not receive additional stimulation and focuses its resources on a specific task.

4. We relieve stress

The habit of writing down your experiences and thoughts on paper can reduce their severity. Natalie Rogers, the author of expressive psychotherapy, saw diary entries as an important way to express herself and awaken creative energy. To write by hand more often means to show your individuality more often. It is expressed in the shape and size of the letters, the fluency of the handwriting, the arrangement of the text on the page.

“You do doodles while talking on the phone and find it soothing. You start keeping a diary and find that as you write, your experiences and ideas change. Perhaps you write down your dreams and look for signs and symbols in these records, ”says Rogers.

5. The brain stays young longer

In the process of writing, we use different areas of the brain associated with thinking, language, and working memory. If you have to write by hand from time to time, the brain gets extra training. Psychologists have already drawn attention to the relationship between the state of cognitive abilities and writing skills.

“Comparing old patient diaries, written by hand, and new ones, typed on a keyboard, we see a big difference in the ability to formulate their thoughts,” says neuroscientist Murali Doraiswami, a professor at Duke University. “Today, with many people shifting to computers, practicing handwriting skills can be a useful exercise to keep your mind sharp.”