The Benefits Of Handwriting vs Typing

Handwriting vs typing, what team are you on?

When was the last time you physically picked up a pen and wrote something down on paper?

I used to go months without physically writing anything down and spend long periods of time typing. When I finally picked up a pen and paper to write, I had forgotten how to spell.

Technology has created a rift in our world: Handwriting vs typing. Which side are you on?

Most people spend all their time on their phones typing away words without ever caring about how to spell them. And, because our phones are so smart, they predict what we’re trying to say and correct it without us having to.

This is detrimental to our brain development and learning.

No, you don’t stop learning, no matter how old you are! If you’re not learning something new every day, you’re not evolving towards being a person who achieves your goals and dreams.

Benefits of handwriting

We remember more when we physically write things down rather than type them on a computer. A study showed that our memories work better whenever we write things down.

We’re so reliant on our gadgets keeping track of everything for us that we’re ignoring the supercomputer we all have unlimited access to — our brains.

Writing stimulates the brain

Writing by hand fully engages and stimulates the brain, which helps in keeping it sharp. Writing uses movements, sensations, and thinking all at once which forces us to use more brain power than merely typing.

Yes, movement, sensations, and thinking are engaged when typing too but it’s easy to become distracted when you’re using a computer or phone. Plus, the movement of your hands while writing is different than the movement of your fingers while typing.

Calms the nerves

Dr. Marc Seifer, a graphologist and handwriting expert, says that writing a calming sentence calms and retrains the brain.

If you take the time to write “I will approach every situation with a calm spirit” approximately twenty times throughout the day, you will give your brain permission to start thinking calmly, which sends the signal to your body to approach every situation with a calm mind.

There is power in a pen.

Promotes creativity

A blank page is an ultimate playground for a creative person. Ideas begin to manifest themselves when you put a pen or pencil to paper. If you’re feeling stuck and unsure what to write or create, try sitting down with a blank paper and a pen and let your imagination run wild.

Those are the moments that ideas and inspiration will flow to you through your pen. You are in a welcoming state when you approach a blank paper, meaning you are giving the universe permission to send you the guidance and inspiration you need.

“Handwriting is a spiritual designing, even though it appears by means of a material instrument.” ― Euclid

Improves focus

By eliminating the millions of things that can distract you while on a computer or your phone, a pen and paper forces you to stay focused on the task at hand.

Put your phone on silent and dive in, be aware of the thoughts that come to you while you’re writing, and forget about the time.

If you are writing in a scheduled time slot, forget that there’s a timer going. When your timer does go off you’ll feel like the time set wasn’t enough and additionally, you’ll feel like you’ve just come back to reality from another world.

Writing by hand is a great way to improve your focus so actively practice focus instead of inactively practicing distractions.

What you focus on expands and if you don’t use it, you will lose it

Here are a few tips to help you incorporate more handwriting in your day

Always have a pen and a pocket notebook with you

Use a pen that seamlessly fits your hand. This will lessen the physical pain of writing when you’re in the zone and writing a lot.

Physically write notes and memos on paper to remember your tasks.

Write in your journal, you can always type what you’ve written later if that’s your desire.

Take breaks and do a hand exercise to help keep the blood flowing in your hand. Simply opening and closing your hand ten to twenty times will suffice but there are hand exercise tools that will help.