Don’t diss the Doodle!
At some point in our lives, we've all been told to stop doodling and pay attention during class or meetings. But, contrary to popular belief, doodling can actually be incredibly beneficial for our brains.
It's thought to calm the amygdala, the part of the brain that controls the 'flight or fight' response—which is linked to stress and anxiety. In the book Chilling Out: The Psychology of Relaxation, psychologist Christine Selby recommends a specific doodling technique for stress relief.
Recent research in neuroscience, psychology and design shows that doodling can help people stay focused, grasp new concepts, and retain information. A blank page also can serve as an extended playing field for the brain, allowing people to revise and improve on creative thoughts and ideas.
The study found that doodling fires up the brain's 'executive resources' which is a term to define cognitive processes that allow us to multi-task, concentrate and plan. In other words, doodling keeps our minds grounded in these long meetings or classes. But scribbling on paper does even more than we ever realized. Here are a few examples as to why it’s wildly beneficial.
1. Improves memory retention
Did you know that doodling can actually improve memory retention by almost 30%? According to a study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology, people who doodle while listening to information are able to remember details better than those who simply pay attention. Doodling helps one to stay focused, process information better, and retain it for longer periods of time.
2. Reduces stress and anxiety
Doodling is an excellent way to reduce stress and anxiety. It allows one to escape from reality and focus solely on their imagination. Doodling has a calming effect on the brain, which reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone) in the body. The repetitive nature of doodling allows the brain to enter into a state of relaxation.
3. Foster creativity and problem-solving skills
Doodling stimulates creativity and problem-solving skills. It activates and engages both hemispheres of the brain, resulting in higher levels of creativity. Studies have shown that doodling helps people come up with more innovative solutions to problems. It also helps in developing critical thinking and decision-making skills.
4. Keeps the brain active
As we age, our brain function tends to decline. However, doodling can help to keep the brain active and engaged. As mentioned earlier, doodling engages both hemispheres of the brain, forcing the brain to work harder. It also increases blood flow to the brain, which helps in maintaining its health.
5. Enhances learning
There’s evidence that doodling can improve academic performance by engaging different components of the brain that are necessary for complex cognition. For example, a study found that second-grade students who were encouraged to doodle in class showed better handwriting skills, letter recognition, and phonetic awareness than those who did not doodle. Similarly, high school students who doodled while taking notes in class performed better in tests of attention, recall, and comprehension compared to those who listened passively.
So much to our middle school teachers’ dismay, Doodling is NOT a waste of time.
In fact, it’s a mental workout that can hone cognitive, emotional, and social skills in both kids and grownups. From enhancing memory and creativity to reducing stress and fostering teamwork, doodling offers numerous scientifically backed benefits for all. As parents and teachers, it's important to encourage children to doodle during learning sessions. It could help them to retain information better and be more creative. For adults, doodling is a simple but effective tool to keep the brain active and reduce stress.
So grab a pen and paper and get a’doodling!