“The Power of Pen and Paper: How Traditional Writing Methods Can Benefit Your Mind”

It was a peaceful morning, and I was reading Joe Dispenza’s book, “Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing The Uncommon,” After a while I was prying on the importance of writing with Pen and Paper. I was thinking very deeply trying to gathering as many details I could.

Reason, The previous night, my two year old son was trying to watch a rhyme on the electronic mobile phone. [He does it occasionally]. It was disturbing me a bit and I wanted him to avoid using Electronic Gadgets and use Traditional way of Writing.

People who have seen me personally would definitely have seen me with a Diary in my hand. It is a personal diary where I record my todo list and plan my day ahead. I wanted my son to experience this.

May be after years my son may read this article.

The Sensory Experience of Writing

One of the best parts of using pen and paper is the sensory experience it provides. Writing with a pen and paper engages multiple senses, such as the feel of the pen in your hand, the sound of the pen scratching against the paper, and the tactile sensation of the paper. These sensations can be immensely satisfying and offer a unique experience that electronic devices cannot replicate.

Princeton University Research

Princeton University conducted a study on the effects of handwriting on cognitive processing, memory, and creativity.

In one experiment, [read this link] two group of students were asked to take notes. One group with laptops and the other group with pen and paper. At the end, the results were like, the former group took 50% more notes compared to the ones who used pen and paper.

At the verge of showcasing the results, the two groups were given exams on the notes. The results were indeed intriguing. The group who used pen and paper scored 50% more than students who used laptops to take notes.

The results were the same with several iterations as well.

In another study conducted by Princeton University, participants were asked to come up with ideas for a new product either by handwriting or by typing. The results showed that those who wrote by hand came up with more original and creative ideas than those who typed on a computer. This study suggests that writing by hand can improve creativity and ideation.

The professors concluded that ‘Laptops’ in classroom is merely a Distraction

Better Focus and Concentration

Using pen and paper can also improve focus and concentration. When using an electronic device, it is easy to become distracted by notifications, emails, and social media updates. In contrast, using pen and paper eliminates these distractions, allowing you to focus solely on the task at hand. This can be particularly beneficial for students, professionals, and creative writers who need to concentrate for extended periods.

Improved Creativity

Writing with a pen and paper can also improve creativity. The physical act of writing by hand allows you to slow down and think more deeply about your ideas, leading to a more thoughtful and creative output. Additionally, the act of writing can help unlock new ideas and insights that may not have been possible with an electronic device.

Reduced Screen Time

Using pen and paper can also reduce screen time, which is an increasingly important consideration in today’s digital age. Too much screen time can lead to eye strain, headaches, and disrupted sleep patterns. Using pen and paper allows you to disconnect from the digital world and focus on the physical world around you, providing a welcome break from electronic devices.

Take Away

There are many benefits to using pen and paper instead of electronic smart gadgets. The sensory experience of writing, improved memory retention, better focus and concentration, increased creativity, reduced screen time, and eco-friendliness are just a few of the advantages. The research conducted by Princeton University further supports these benefits and provides scientific evidence of the advantages of using pen and paper.

While it may not always be practical or possible to completely eliminate the use of electronic devices, finding a balance between the two can provide the best of both worlds. Incorporating pen and paper into your daily routine, whether it be for journaling, note-taking, or creative writing, can provide a refreshing change of pace and may even spark new ideas and insights.

In today’s digital age, it is easy to get caught up in the convenience of electronic devices. However, taking a step back and using pen and paper can provide a refreshing change of pace and numerous benefits for your mental and physical health. So, the next time you have a writing or brainstorming task, consider using pen and paper to unlock your full potential. It may just surprise you how much of a difference it can make.

-Penned with Experience as ‘LLL’
[12 May 2023]