Benefits of Writing in Our Modern, Tech-Driven Age

With technology progressing minute by minute and the exclamation ‘there’s an app for that!’ becoming more frequent, the benefits of writing by hand might seem inconvenient, if not old-fashioned. But now, the scientists have spoken out and have proven that when it comes to the benefits of typing vs handwriting – handwriting wins – hands down!

Recent research highlights that writing by hand, compared to typing on a keyboard, significantly improves learning and memory. The study by Professor Audrey van der Meer, from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) found the intricate brain connectivity associated with handwriting plays a key role in memory formation and the absorption of new information.

Some companies and schools, especially in the UK and beyond, recognise the benefits of handwriting over typing and that writing by hand can improve memory and help people to retain information.

While many workplaces have shifted to digital tools, there’s a growing appreciation for the personal touch and focus that writing by hand brings. Some organisations even use handwritten notes to connect better with clients.

Whether it’s in schools or businesses, the value of putting pen to paper is making a bit of a comeback—and for good reason!

Here’s why writing matters now more than ever and the clear benefits of writing by hand…

Jot Down Notes! The Benefits of Writing Can Aid Organisation

Nothing good comes from being disorganised, which is why the benefits of writing by hand in your notebook have become so helpful.

Technology might seem convenient, but sifting through multiple files, notes and apps to find what you’re looking for and the fear of a battery dying or a tech problem – or shock horror – a crash! And you lose everything, is a very real probability.

Writing on paper reduces screen time, which can help avoid eye strain from constant exposure to screens.

While digital tools have their place, going old-school with handwritten notes can help you stay focused, organised, and more connected to your ideas.

 

Handwriting Can Unleash Creativity & Increase Your Understanding of Topics

Handwriting encourages free-flowing thoughts, allowing ideas to develop more naturally. The tactile experience of writing can boost creative problem-solving more quickly and succinctly. Also, the slower process of handwriting forces you to condense and rephrase ideas, helping you understand concepts better than simply copying or typing.

 

Charles Simic, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet and Author, sums it up beautifully in Take Care of your Little Notebook:

“No question, one can use a smart phone as an aid to memory, and I do use one myself for that purpose. But I don’t find them a congenial repository for anything more complicated than reminding myself to pick up a pair of pants from the cleaners or make an appointment with the cat doctor. If one has the urge to write down a complete thought, a handsome notebook gives it more class. Even a scrap of paper and a stub of a pencil are more preferable for philosophising than typing the same words down, since writing a word out, letter by letter, is a more self-conscious process and more likely to inspire further revisions and elaborations of that thought.”

 

Benefits of Writing & Why a Digital Detox is Good for You

Let’s face it: technology is great, but sometimes we want to unplug and disconnect from the constant distractions. Falling down a 3-hour TikTok hole or trawling through streams of cat videos on Instagram (we’re not saying cat videos are a bad thing, but they’re certainly a distraction) can use up valuable time when you could be working on the next big thing, taking a mindful moment, exercising, making time for meaningful face-to-face interactions. Just think of the time you’ll get back! Exploding Topics found that we are now spending an average of 3 hours and 15 minutes on our phones each day, and people check their phones an average of 58 times each day, and that number is set to rise. Perhaps we need to take a break from tech – even a temporary one will help us to reap the benefits – so why not start by getting into handwriting now?

Writing by Hand can Improve Your Well-being

Writing by hand instantly makes the content more personal, making it the perfect tool for catharsis. Think back to the famous diarist Samuel Pepys, whose innermost thoughts provided an insight into 17th-century life through his eyes, from Oliver Cromwell to the plague. There’s something about penning down your thoughts that feels even more special over mechanically tip-tapping on the keyboard. Just like Pepys himself, in a time when we’ve been writing becomes the perfect therapy. Research has shown that just 15-20 minutes of handwriting a day can reduce the effects of stress after just four months. Sit down, shut off your surroundings and jot to your heart’s content; we promise you’ll feel better afterwards. Learn more about what your handwriting says about you or the art of graphology – the science behind handwriting analysis!

So, there you have it! There are numerous compelling benefits to handwriting, and as a manager, team leader, or HR executive, promoting this skill is a valuable investment in equipping your teams with the tools they need to succeed.

 

Are you keen to reap the rewards of handwriting in the office with our selection of branded notebooks? Contact one of our experts today to design your perfect jotter.

 

Handwriting Tools – The Notebook Options:

A notebook now seems even more appealing and makes an excellent addition to your desk. Wouldn’t you agree that there’s also something so much more motivating about writing down your tasks, thoughts, and intentions in a brand-new notebook? We have luxurious custom leather cover notebooks and eco-friendly journals options, and we offer a completely bespoke service from customised page inserts to bellybands, along with debossing and printing techniques to make every notebook your own. Fancy a branded Moleskine notebook? Who doesn’t?!