4 benefits of writing by hand

Writing by hand is something that is increasingly being replaced by new technologies. The speed, ease of correction and other resources are changing everything that comes with writing. We hardly use letters anymore, now it’s email. Students no longer do work by hand, they use the computer. And they even study digital files from their computer or tablet.

However, Mangen, A. (2011) – a psychologist at Stavangen University in Norway – showed that individuals who study in paper formats perform best when tested for comprehension of what they read, compared to those who study from the same texts but in electronic formats. Besides, writing by hand promotes better memorization.

This situation that progressively addresses us makes us wonder if there is any difference between writing by hand or writing by typing. Why do we express ourselves better or get relief when we write by hand? Are our ideas better organized? Why write a diary by hand?

What are the benefits of writing by hand?

Improve learning

The most effective way to retain information or study is to write your notes by hand. When we write we use our hand, we hold the instrument with which we write and we think about the letters we write.

This process stimulates a part of the brain called the Reticular Activating System.. This system acts as a filter for what the brain needs to process, giving more importance to the things we are actively focusing on. For example, the act of writing is something that brings this to the fore.

Makes you a better writer

Writing by hand allows you think more, cross out, go back over your notes, reflect on them… Most writers, good writers, write by hand. Maybe it is because imagination is enhanced and that the slowness that manual writing necessarily requires allows thoughts to be clearer and better thought out.

Avoid distractions

It is obvious that New technologies allow us to be “multitasking”. At the same time that we write we can be listening to music, be aware of a chat or social networks. We know how to focus on one thing without forgetting to pay attention to others.

When we write by hand this does not happen, we need all our concentration in the act of writing. In fact, it’s almost a requirement. There are already many active functions (thinking what we are going to write, holding the instrument, visualizing, writing) to be aware of many others.

Writing by hand keeps the brain active

Writing by hand benefits us in our aging process. It’s a training. Because? Because it involves your motor skills, memory… In addition, it is a good mental exercise for those who want to keep a sharp mind as they age.

Being an excellent exercise for our brain We exercise our visual, motor and mental abilities. With this, we can ensure that our intelligence is enhanced. In short, writing by hand can make us smarter.

What do we lose if we stop writing by hand?

For a start, If we leave aside manual writing we will lose the skill of legible writing. What they demand so much of us in education about jobs and exams with neat and clean writing.

We may think that if everything advances and we start doing everything with technology there will be no need. Yes it will. No matter how much progress we make in that regard, There will always be times when we will have to use the other writing system, the manual. And this is where we will notice our shortcomings.

Besides, handwriting reflects our personality. There is the study of graphology, which allows us to discover our personality and character, including how we feel, since we do not always write the same.

If writing is not developed, it will take longer to learn to read.. Why does this happen? When we write by hand we develop a greater ability to generate new ideas and retain information. By not writing manually, we lose this development capacity and, consequently, our reading learning process will be delayed.

Many times, writing can be used as solution to a problem. For example, people who have difficulty shaping letters or those who suffer from dyslexia. Especially for dyslexia it is very important, because although writing is a bit indifferent, it is true that reading is something very important.

The Finnish reality

The Finnish education system has decided to replace learning handwriting with typing classes on the QWERTY keyboard as of 2016. This news that has appeared in numerous newspapers, including “El Confidencial”, caused a great debate. Defenders of handwriting expressed their displeasure at this statement. It really is misleading news.

It is true that Finland wants to promote the use of the keyboard, but not completely dispense with writing. What happens is that they see it as irrelevant to continue with the traditional calligraphy of linking all the letters.. They prefer to encourage, from the beginning, manual writing with print. Maybe it’s because of speed.

In summary, after seeing all these advantages that it has handwriteit wouldn’t hurt if we resumed this healthy habit from time to time to enhance our cognition.

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