From Edie: Discover how writing by hand improves memory, boosts creativity, and strengthens brain health. Learn why writers who use pen and paper think more deeply, retain ideas better, and unlock richer, more meaningful writing.
Why Writing by Hand Boosts Memory, Creativity, and Brain Health for Writers
by Ginny Cruz, MPA, PT
A recent scientific study found unexpected benefits for memory, even reducing the risk of dementia, when writing regularly by hand was instituted. In today’s digitally-immersed culture, typing, texting, screenshotting, and even voice-to-text have replaced writing by hand. New studies reveal that our memory may be suffering as a result.
A few questions to answer: Do you use a shopping app for your grocery list, or do you write it on a slip of paper? Do you write a thank-you note to show appreciation for a gift, or do you send an emoji-laden text to save time? Are you forgetting birthdays because you now depend on your digital calendar to remember them for you?
If you find yourself forgetting things you created digitally, such as your grocery list or even words from a previous work you typed yourself, it’s time to begin writing by hand.
How Handwriting Boosts Memory
Recent studies in Japan, the United States, and Norway have concluded that people have better recall of things they’ve written by hand than of those they've typed. When we write things down using a pen or pencil, we’re engaging in a series of complex cognitive-motor tasks involving multiple areas of the brain. For example, holding a pen between your fingers, controlling the force the pen places on the paper, and forming the letters on the page as your brain composes the words you want to write, utilizes more areas of the brain than typing those same words.
While typing also involves complex fine-motor (hand) patterns, the actual formation of letters on paper creates a stronger memory imprint in our brains. Ponder this: typing letters, while complex, is actually a series of rapidly repeating similar motor patterns. When you press the “m” key, you use the same downward finger motion to press the “o” key. But handwriting an “m” versus an “o” is not similar at all.
Writing by hand is also slower than typing or using voice-to-text applications. Speed is why many of us have abandoned handwriting because our fast-paced world values it. But deep thinking, creative exploration, and listening to God’s voice come when we slow down and listen. Handwriting slows down your brain in ways that tap into more memories. Personally, I’ve often found that typing skims the surface of what I want to say, but writing by hand gets me deeper, where I can explore richer words and more complex ideas.
Handwriting Lights Up More of the Brain
Thirty-six young students were asked to write words using a digital pen on a touchscreen device or type them on a keyboard. The participant’s brain activity was recorded via electroencephalogram (EEG). The most surprising finding was that the whole brain was active when students wrote by hand, whereas much smaller areas were active during typing.
Use it or Lose It
The old adage, “Use it or lose it,” seems to be true when it comes to handwriting. Writing by hand a little each day, whether journaling during your time with God, writing down your creative ideas on paper, or writing notes to your children, all exercise more of your brain than typing. Doing these little things keeps your brain sharp and reduces your risk of age-related memory lapses.
Think of a daily dose of handwriting as maintaining your creative garden. A healthy garden needs maintenance, and writing by hand each day keeps your memory sharp and your creativity blooming.
What are some things you can write by hand instead of relying on technology?
TWEETABLE
This is such a great reminder to everyone who has the gift of writing. I love to send cards in the mail and receive them. Thank you for your great post. We need to get our creative spirit moving again.
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