Digital communication is now a huge part of our lives, with many couples even ditching postal wedding invitations and sending e-vites instead.
But staring at screens all day has unwanted side effects.
From the blue light our phones emit that disturbs our sleep to the fact that the average adult spends six hours a day looking at screens*, contributing to a sedentary lifestyle that has been linked to a shorter life expectancy, tech could be damaging our health.
It’s no wonder, then, that there’s been a steady rise in popularity of going back to basics and picking up a pen and paper. Maria Sebregondi, co-founder of Moleskine, says notepad sales are up by more than £30m in the past eight years, and it’s millennials who are at the forefront of the boom.
In fact, a recent study revealed that 87% of those asked valued handwritten notes more than any other means of communication.** So it’s time to put down your phone and grab that pen…
TAKE NOTE
”Something different happens in the brain when we write versus when we type,” says psychotherapist Susan Borkin, who specialises in therapeutic journaling.
“Handwriting activates areas of the brain, such as sensation, movement and thinking, and helps to improve tactile, visual and fine motor skills.”
Research published in Psychological Science found that when participants were divided into groups tasked with taking notes by typing versus taking handwritten notes, the handwriting group retained 29% more information.
This is because when you’re typing you can go faster and are more likely to mindlessly type exactly what is being said.
Handwriting takes more time, so you’ll likely process what you’ve heard and note it down in a way you understand.
So whether you’re scribbling in a uni lecture or work meeting, forget that laptop – old-fashioned pen and paper is the way to go if you don’t want the info to go in one ear and out the other.
DEAR DIARY
The past few years have seen an explosion not only in motivational stationery and mindfulness colouring books, but also in journals. In fact, last year a survey revealed that one in four of us regularly write in a diary.***
“Journaling is very cathartic for a number of reasons,” says Susan.
“In cases of trauma, studies have shown that it enhances the immune system, helping your body to heal physically and emotionally. Putting your thoughts down on paper can also serve to release pent-up anger or emotions, which in turn reduce stress.”
study by the University of Arizona on two groups of divorcees found that those who participated in “narrative expressive writing” (ie writing a diary about what happened and how they were feeling) following their relationship breakdown showed signs of better heart health compared to those who didn’t.
“Daily writing helps us structure our thoughts and see what steps we need to take to move forward,” says Mo Seebtim, creator of The Happiness Planner. “It also helps cultivate gratitude.”
There is a strong link between gratitude and general wellbeing, while research by the University of Kentucky shows that those who had higher levels of gratitude were also less aggressive and more empathetic.
SEALED WITH A KISS
Penning a note to your loved one is the way to get their attention, experts say.
Despite a third of us saying we haven’t received a handwritten letter in the last 12 months*, putting our romantic feelings on paper is back on trend, even forming the main plot of the hugely successful Netflix Original To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.
“Writing a love letter enables you to practise expressing your feelings to someone before actually having a conversation with them, especially if you have difficulty communicating those feelings,” says Diana Raab, author of Writing For Bliss.
GOAL POSTS
Whether it’s your career, love life or finances, focusing on goals can be a helpful way to get what you want.
According to Mark Murphy, CEO and author of Hiring For Attitude, you’re up to 1.4 times more likely to succeed in your goals if you write them down.
“When you write, encoding takes place,” says Mark. "This is the biological process by which the things we perceive travel to our brain’s hippocampus where they’re analysed. From there, decisions are made about what gets stored in our long-term memory and, in turn, what gets discarded. Writing improves that process.”
And it’s where “bullet journaling” comes in. This is like a cross between a diary and a to-do list that helps you organise your life and succeed in the areas you want by separating your goal-setting into three categories – tasks, events and notes – with symbols to address priority.
“Bullet journaling encourages the user to take a step back and make sure that what they are focusing on actually adds value to their lives,” says Ryder Carroll, who created the system.
“Having to write by hand allows you to process your thoughts in a more deliberate way. It helps quiet the noise. That’s when you begin to realise what is important, what matters, and what is actually deserving of your time and energy.”
PEN PALS
Remember those six months at school when you were 12 and wrote religiously to your French pen friend every week – and then never contacted each other again?
Well, pen pals are making a comeback!
Geekgirlpenpals.com now boasts over 8,000 paired pals, while the League of Extraordinary Penpals has a database of almost 600 willing pen friends (Extraordinarypenpals.com).
A study by the University of Warwick looked at the 52 UK pen pal schemes currently in operation in prisons and found that a pen pal boosted prisoners’ overall wellbeing, with inmates reporting they felt less isolated and more connected to the world.
“Handwriting stimulates and engages the brain and helps people tap into their own emotions,” adds Diana.
WORDS OF WIDSOM
When you’re going through a tough time, getting a message from a friend to say they’re thinking of you can give you a boost. And while a WhatsApp is great, nothing compares to receiving a beautiful card.
“Email and texts are so ubiquitous,” says Susan. “Taking the time to hand-write a note indicates a focused attention on the recipient and makes them feel appreciated.”
“A handwritten card shows care and thought and that effort has been put into sending it” says Anikka Burton, who founded Notanotherbunchofflowers.com after surviving breast cancer and realising the right card and message were so important.
“An email or typed card just doesn’t convey the care that is put into choosing a card for the recipient and writing a message.”
- Track Your Past, Order Your Present, Plan Your Future by Ryder Carroll is out October 23
Sources: *Encore Tickets **Bond ***Pen Heaven
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