Mistakenly, many think that writing It is a specific act that only acquires importance when it becomes important works, be it a novel, a story or a poem. But, the truth is that it is an exercise of the day to day, daily and supremely healthy for those who practice it. In this way, the benefits of writing —which we will talk about throughout this Supercurious article— extend beyond the relationship between brain and writing.coming to cover aspects of physical, mental and even emotional health.
If you want to know the many reasons why writing is beneficial, keep reading!
Effects of writing on our brain, what happens?
The writing process is a fundamental process within our brain. This action has the ability to activate all brain structures in a joint and coordinated manner. This will cause all the neural systems related to thought, language, and memory to activate as well, thus boosting abilities linked to intelligence. This process has two main protagonists: Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area.
In the Broca’s area —located in the frontal lobe— is where the part associated with speech and writing is housed; but in the parietal lobe is the Wernicke’s areawhich is extremely important when writing, because this is where we interpret words and language. As a curious fact, there are patients who, when this part of the brain is damaged, present disorders in spelling or handwriting.
Now, in the action of writing, functions of the different cerebral lobes are involved. For example, the frontal lobe intervenes in which reasoning and abstraction are carried out. The temporal lobe is also involved, in charge of identifying the relationship between sound and letter. Finally, the parietal and occipital lobes are also part of this process. The first aimed at eye-hand coordination and the second at recognition of written letters.
In this way, and as happens with reading, writing is a mental exercise in which the effort of the brain and different motor activities are promoted.
1. Benefits of writing for other areas of our brain, super important!
Without a doubt, one of the great benefits of writing is brain and mental stimulation, as we saw earlier. But, in addition to strengthening the brain area that deals with intelligence, the exercise of writing awakens other brain areas of utmost importance. For example:
- Writing activates brain structures related to emotions. These structures are known as the limbic system.. This is also responsible for primitive actions, such as those related to survival.
- In addition, the benefits of writing also focus on the generation of chemicals related to the sensation of pleasure. This strengthens the ventral tegmental area, key in the brain’s reward circuit.
- handwriting stimulates is reticular system. This system is in charge of regulating the states of sleep and wakefulness, in addition to strengthening the transitions between the state of relaxed consciousness and that of high attention.
2. Other benefits of writing (including emotional ones)
- Through writing, the necessary information is retained. Therefore, it benefits the learning and memorization process. In addition, it is the first step to facilitate reading comprehension.
- Writing is essential to develop language. Thanks to it, a logical sense related to grammar and syntax is provided. This without counting on the fact that it is the one that captures narratives and stories typical of the literary tradition, preserving them over time.
- Another benefit of writing is its fight against cognitive deterioration. This reduces the risk of developing mental illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s.
- Writing reduces stress and releases emotional tensions. In addition, it is the ideal conduit to bring out your feelings and better face the different situations of daily life.
- This process encourages and boost your communication skills. In this way, writing well can imply reading and speaking properly.
- with the writing thoughts are processed bettertherefore, helps you to be more aware and resilient.
Differences between everyday and literary writing
Although the processes that are generated in the brain are similar, since it is the same procedure (writing), there are differences between everyday writing and the literary.
Leaving aside the cultural and taste parameters to judge literature, different areas of the brain are activated when it comes to a usual, habitual language, or a different language.
When we face everyday life, the words we use do not provoke notable responses, because the use wears them down, and then our brain reacts in a rather dull way. The same does not happen when we say things in an original way. That is why good literature omits clichés, always try new ways to express the same feelings that overwhelm us since the invention of writing, and before.
Therefore, it is also important metaphors: they activate areas of the parietal lobe associated with touch. Curious, right?
Writing with devices or by hand, is it the same?
When we write by hand (sorry fans of Kindles, iPads, and any electronic device you can write on), the benefits of writing are further enhanced: writing by hand stimulates an area of the brain called the reticular activating systemand it regulates the state of wakefulness.
In addition, it favors cognitive development in a much more efficient way than if we were to write the same thing on our computer or on any other type of screen.
So, indeed, it is not the same to write by hand or on a computer. Since if we do it the second way, we reduce the stimulation of brain areaslike the one that is in charge of motor skills.
Are you convinced of the many benefits of writing? Whether you write a diary, a story or simply use it for reminders, it will always be your best ally, so take advantage of it! Before you go, do not hesitate to let us know all your opinions in the comments section, we are eager to read you!