A recent study by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that writing by hand has many more benefits as compared to typing. Writing improves the capacity of our brains to process information, take better decisions and activate many parts of our brain.
I have also found writing to be a meditative and grounding experience. The screen and the keyboard are devices that definitely ease out the tedious task of inputting data and processing it, yet they cannot fully measure up to being the best tools for the unfettered flight of the creative vision.
I have been working with hand writing and writing by hand for improved emotional and mental state for decades now and below I have shared my insights from this experience.
- Journaling is a good way to collect and condense one’s thoughts, especially those running in a loop, to a confined space of a page or two. Writing everything down helps one to develop an outsider’s perspective on the real life situations. It helps to clear the mind.
- If the thoughts are too many and too overwhelming to write, then a sensory relief can be found in the repetitive activity of handwriting meditation. Writing the letters of the alphabet in a pre-determined shape and form helps to calm down the nervous system when such an exercise is repeated religiously at a set time and in a prescribed manner. In fact, taking up a particular form of writing the alphabet also changes the intrinsic personality as proven by the research done by Vimala Rodgers.
- Finally, through my own research, I have found that creative writing is a supremely effective way to get rid of unwanted emotional baggage and to set out the intentions and the visions for one’s life and future. In my sessions I have found many individuals overcome panic attacks, develop clarity about their emotions, interpersonal relationships, restrictive thought and action patterns, and much more. Through creative writing itself they have found a solution and a corrective means to improve their life.
Hence, writing by hand is not only charming but also therapeutic, so give it a try. And, if you are wondering how, get in touch with me.