This week’s post comes from Kim Foster, our editor. In this piece, she shares about how writing by hand affects brain activity and how you can experience amazing benefits as you create. Enjoy!

I sat swinging on my daughter’s back porch while my grandkids jumped on the trampoline to the music of Imagine Dragons. My youngest grandson was smitten with Believer, and it played on a continuous loop for about thirty minutes. As I wrote in my journal, I recorded conversations and described the beautiful quirks and characteristics of some of my favorite people on the planet.

I notice something when I write by hand. I remember details that often escape me when I’m typing. I connect to a similar memory or related event, and my brain informs me of all the connections related to what I’m writing. As I compose, I’m not just retelling facts; when I write by hand, I tap into emotions. I process all these things as I write in my journal.

There’s a vibrant global conversation happening about bringing handwriting back into the academic curricula for children. The benefits are proven across loads of studies that writing by hand promotes learning to read, eye-hand coordination, memory, and increased brain activity. The main takeaway is that it has an important impact on children’s development. As adults, though, what benefits can we expect from writing by hand?

Deepens processing

According to a research article in Advances in Brain-Machine Interfaces, “The Neuroscience Behind Writing,” just forming the letters helps with retaining information and improves comprehension. So if you’re writing down information or a story, you’re establishing it in your memory. That’s why many experts promote taking notes by hand instead of with a keyboard. Your brain converts the information into your own words, reframing what you’re hearing, so a deeper level of processing happens.

If you are in a state of writing where the ideas are flowing, and you have clarity around your topic or an event, you want to keep that flow happening. You may reach a spot that would be great to bring in research. Instead of stopping and finding the research you want to include, Stacy Ennis recommends to writers in her coaching programs to get the words down and leave a placeholder for research. I find this to be an excellent strategy when I’m writing. For instance, I’ll include “[insert case study about the brain]” where I think it will fit, and then I keep writing.

Strengthens creative expression

Journaling is a wonderful way to tap into an emotional component of writing. I often work with authors who want to connect more deeply with their readers. Because storytelling is an effective tool for engaging an audience, I suggest looking for places to insert stories that weave in well with the topic and data.

If you’re writing a book—or even an article—try writing out the scenario you want to include. Describe the setting by tapping into the memory (just as in journal writing):

• What do you see? A beautiful scene in nature, rose bushes in your neighbor’s yard.
• What do you feel? The wind, the hard ledge you’re sitting on, your feet aching from a long walk.
• What do you smell? A campfire, the pine trees, the rich earth.

Journaling this in a notebook—besides being a creative outlet—will provide a resource for future content. As a writer, I look at everyday scenarios as potential content for an essay or an article. My brain is constantly filing away phrases that capture my attention, scenes that are poignant, or tangible experiences with nature. Funny conversations are my favorite.

But let’s face it, you won’t always be free to record your thoughts the moment they hit you.

Anne Lamott suggests in Bird by Bird to keep a note card and pen handy so you can write down a word or phrase that will trigger your memory later. For instance, I’ll write “lady at grocery store” or “GKs (grandkids) as superheroes.” The key is to write what works for you—and then don’t wait too long to get the story down.

Reduces stress and anxiety

Writing can be rather cathartic. Emotions and stress are released, which can be very healthy and healing because you’re not storing them up in your body.

I find when writing by hand, I feel a deepening self-awareness. I have a greater understanding of how I am wired, and I have ferreted out much of what makes me tick. I determine ahead of time that I will give myself permission to express without judging grammar or rules. (As an editor, it takes a bit of intention to set aside self-critiquing!)

I have learned more about my voice—my distinctive style of writing. I am surprised at how freeing this discovery has been for me. I find that I write differently for different venues. When I am processing grief, for example, my writing is very sensory—my emotions are heightened and my perspective about the world around me is altered.

Get those ideas down—and writing by hand just may be the key to greater insight and discovery.

Increases brain activity

I am intrigued by studies that discuss brain connectivity. We see its value in children’s development, and we see how as adults we keep those connections going. I like to think that we’re exercising our writing muscles in different ways.

According to a research article published in Frontiers in Psychology, “[W]henever handwriting movements are included as a learning strategy, more of the brain gets stimulated, resulting in the formation of more complex neural network connectivity.”

There are times when I can create well on a computer, especially if I’ve had time to consider a story or article. Yet sometimes I find myself floundering to center my thoughts and anchor them to the page. In preparing for this blog post, I researched quite a few case studies on how writing by hand connects with brain activity. Yet when I tried to organize my thoughts on my laptop, my outline kept shifting and I couldn’t get traction.

So—you guessed it—I pulled out my pad of paper and one of my favorite pens (it’s a thing) and started jotting down the main points. Suddenly, I had clarity about my topic as information started falling into place. I was able to see the structure and flow and kicked through the confusing writer’s block.

I don’t believe there’s only one approach to incorporate handwriting into your process, but I do believe it’s beneficial to a deeper connection and often surprising epiphanies. I also realize that not everyone has the same level of dexterity—some have conditions that make it difficult (or impossible) to write by hand. I remember when my dad used to say, “Old Arthur came by today.” His arthritis made it difficult to use his hands for detailed work.

I encourage you to experiment. Have fun describing a scene, recalling a conversation, or even writing a letter or thank-you note. Give it a try and see if you notice greater satisfaction in the writing process.

Let us know what you think in the comments. I would love to hear about any benefits you experience!

To writing more by hand,

Kim Foster