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In an age where keyboards and touch screens dominate our means of communication, the practice of handwriting may seem outdated, or even useless. Nevertheless, contemporary studies highlight the notable cognitive benefits that it provides. Research published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology by F. R. Van der Weel and Audrey L. H. Van der Meer, psychology researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology Technology, demonstrates that writing by hand activates brain areas more intensely, thus facilitating the improvement of memory.
Pens or pencils are far from being obsolete and even if the time for letter exchanges is over, don't lose the habit of using them from time to time. Your brain will be better for it.
Handwriting strengthens neuronal connectivity
The experiment involved thirty-six students who were invited to enter words chosen at random from the Pictionary game, using either a digital pen or a keyboard, while being equipped with sophisticated devices recording their brain activity . The data collected revealed a noticeable increase in connectivity between the cerebral hemispheres when handwriting, compared to typing.
In other words, the two parts of the brain, the left and the right, communicate more actively and more effectively with each other when’ ;a person writes by hand rather than on a keyboard. According to this study from the University of California, the connectivity between the two hemispheres is “ key to language development and that poor connection […] decreases verbal IQ ”.
Van der Weel and Van der Meer, observed that “ this suggests that different underlying cognitive processes are involved in both tasks ”. An observation which proves a deeper and more complex solicitation of neural networks during manual writing, thus suggesting that this activity could generate greater cognitive benefits compared to keyboard typing. Should we really be surprised??
Integrate handwriting into daily life
Chances are some of you don't even remember the last time you held a pen. However, the study authors recommend using handwriting in situations where memorization is essential. Conferences, meetings, so many times when you should prefer the pen to the keyboard.
The act of writing words not only helps reinforce memorization of content, but also helps 8217;also proves valuable in contexts requiring subsequent recall of information. Manually write “severe” therefore in your memory centers long-term information more efficiently.
Beyond these benefits, writing by hand offers a range of possibilities. #8217;benefits that transcend the act itself. The latter protects you in particular from digital distractionsavoiding any incessant interruptions specific to the use of modern technologies. Recurring notifications or impulses to check your social media. This reduction in external disturbances thus contributes to supporting a more robust and lasting concentration.
Writing therefore still remains a very powerful, strengthening memory and concentration. Abandoning it entirely would be quite unfortunate and integrating it more into our daily routines could be one of the keys to developing a sharper mind. This skill, learned in our childhood, therefore deserves to be cultivated and valuedthroughout our lives; The digital age and its avalanche of tools to make our lives easier should not take us away from it.
- A study has proven that handwriting strengthens cerebral connectivity between the two hemispheres of the brain.
- It also promotes memorization and concentration.
- Handwriting should, ideally, be preferred over other techniques in some of our daily routines.
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