4 reasons to embrace handwritten letters
The Internet has certainly made communicating with loved ones in far-off places a lot easier and so much quicker. You only need to login to your email, type a few lines of text, hit send and voila: It’s immediately sitting in their virtual mailbox, ready for them to read and reply now or at their leisure.
But there’s something to be said about the process of writing and sending – not to mention, receiving – handwritten letters. Who doesn’t love getting the mail to find a personalized note among all the bills and business offers? Still need convincing? Check out these four reasons to go find a pen, some paper and start scrawling.
1. Boosts mind and body health.
Numerous studies have found that writing by hand sharpens your mind and improves physical health. In fact, according to the journal Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, expressive writing can have long-term benefits, such as improved mood, reduced stress levels and lower blood pressure, among others.
2. Creates long-lasting memories.
Not only will letters not get lost among the virtual detritus that can sometimes fill up our email inboxes, but the physical act of writing out thoughts and feelings will help commit these moments to memory. Studies have found time and again that students learn better and remember more by handwriting notes, so why not apply the same care to those you love most?
3. Makes you a more thoughtful writer.
When you write by hand, it’s a lot more time intensive to erase and rewrite than it would be on the computer where you can do several drafts in mere minutes. The act of writing each word makes you stop and think more deeply about word choice and the message you are crafting. Additionally, if you are writing a one-page letter, you only have so much space to convey your thoughts and ideas, i.e. you are forced to choose every sentiment wisely.
4. Conveys a personal touch.
Handwritten letters are not reserved for family and loved ones only. Letters sent via mail to business partners or mentors can communicate a level of thoughtfulness, respect and care that an email quickly written and sent might not. The Harvard Business Review explains, “The beauty of a well-crafted handwritten note is that it can show deeper investment and appreciation than a simple thank-you can. It can follow up on a conversation, remind someone they’re not forgotten, raise new issues, or even include a gift.” So next time you have a productive lunch meeting with an advisor or mentor, consider sending them a small thank-you note. You’ll standout among their other pieces of mail.
