Write By Hand: It improves cognition

My dad has always been famous for carrying a pen and paper. He would jot down his thoughts and ideas.

I was the technology enabled, cool one, or so I thought. No archaic P & P for me.

Until I resumed writing by hand. I will not go back. Ever. Here is why.

The first thing is you can’t write fast. Even if you try. Unlike typing, where, for example, my fingers can dance on the keyboard.

Writing slowly slows down your thinking. It allows better processing of information. Human beings have a capacity to deal with about eight bits per second.

Writing allows you to take in data at a pace that you can easily handle.

This helps you to absorb what you are studying. This slow process improves attention, increases retention, and enhances learning.

Writing requires fine motor proficiencies. The coordination of fine skills activates extensive areas of your brain, akin to meditation. This promotes cognition, strengthens synaptic connections, and working memory.

We can be broad in our approach to using pen and paper. Doodling, drawing, scribbling, sketching and any other version you can think of all qualify.

Martin Lotze of the University of Greifswald in Germany, studied the long-term effects of writing. Using scans, he recorded subjects in his laboratory.

They found that a particular region known as the caudate nucleus was activated while writing.

This area is responsible for autonomous functions or functions that were practiced over time. It helps in processing language, in the formation of memory, and in learning.

Writing was activating a primal function in the brain.

So how can you use this tool with your hand for your benefit?

If you are not proficient, start by focusing on important things. Write down goals and ideas. Your dreams to change the world, perhaps.

Now if only I could magically publish this article in cursive.

Reach out to me on twitter @rbawri Instagram @riteshbawriofficial and YouTube at www.youtube.com/breatheagain