What if an everyday gesture, increasingly neglected, was in reality a powerful ally for the brain? At a time when screens are taking over our lives, handwriting is gradually disappearing, replaced by keyboards and smartphones. However, according to a recent Norwegian study, this ancient practice has profound effects on our cognitive abilities: it improves memory, concentration and even helps reduce stress.
Hand writing: an asset for memory and learning
The researchers behind this study analyzed the brain waves of around 40 students using a high-density electroencephalogram. When they compared the brain activity of those who wrote by hand with that of those who typed on a keyboard or used a stylus, they found a clear difference. Writing by hand much more activates the areas of the brain involved in memory and encoding information. The movement of the hand creates complex spatio-temporal patterns that promote learning: each traced letter engages fine coordination between thought and gesture, reinforcing concentration and retention of knowledge.
Why writing with a pen can improve your daily life?
Despite these benefits, handwriting is losing ground. According to an Ifop survey, 78% of French people write less by hand than ten years ago, and 55% now prefer the keyboard. However, picking up the pen again would have unsuspected positive effects:
- Strengthen self-esteem: writing helps you externalize your thoughts, clarify your emotions and reconnect with yourself;
- Reduce anxiety: putting your ideas on paper structures the mind and alleviates mental tension;
- Fight against negative thoughts: putting your worries or goals down on paper transforms the abstract into concrete and gives you back control.
Reintroducing this gesture into your daily routine, even if only for a few minutes a day, could stimulate memory, soothe the mind and give our brain the exercise it deserves.