Benefits of Doodling and How to Get Started
Has anyone ever made fun of you for doodling? Assumed you weren’t paying attention? Maybe even corrected you or punished you as a child, for doodling in class? If they have, you’re in good company. I still get teased about the stars, arrows and doodles on my meeting notes
Recently, science and education experts alike have started touting the benefits of doodling and drawing as a means to convey ideas in a more holistic manner. Here are a few of the best reasons to work doodling back into your daily practice right now.
Doodling Improves Memory and Concentration.
The right side of everyone’s brain thinks in pictures, while the left side uses words. As a right brain thinker, I need to take notes when I’m in a meeting, a lecture style class or reading on the computer. And those notes usually include some doodles. Taking notes helps me pay attention and remember what’s being said, the doodles are a natural extension of my strong visual skills.
Kids need to take notes and be allowed to doodle too. It becomes problematic if those doodles turn into fully detailed drawings, pulling their attention away from the subject at hand. But the benefit to kids and adults is huge and worth the risk.
Doodling is a type of meditation.
Art-making activities such as drawing and doodling have been shown to actually reduce the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, in the body. Doodling helps to improve your mental health, reduce stress and regulate your emotions. Could it be the rhythm and repetition of doodling that’s producing this effect?
Doodling helps create a visual vocabulary.
Doodles are not about making great drawings. They’re just simple quick objects, stars, arrows or whatever helps you connect. Although, it can be more fun when they pertain to the information in your notes.
Here area few tools to get you more comfortable:
Young Rembrandts has over a hundred 2 minute quick draw videos on their YouTube page of simple drawings to add to your visual vocabulary.
I created a couple FREE downloads with simple doodles as part of my 7 Days to Better Handwriting Challenge.
Show me some of your doodles in the comments!
