“Drawing is a frame of mind, a loving embrace if you will.” Susan Avishal (from The Painter’s Keys)
How often do students get in trouble for doodling during class? Doodling, new research is showing, may not be such a bad thing at all. In fact doodling may be good for your health. While supposedly zoning out with some prodigious doodling, the brain is actually busy at work solving some major problems. Instead of treating doodlers as slackers, perhaps it would be better to treat them as the smarter students because they just may be.
Psychology Today has a regular feature on Arts and Health by art therapist Cathy Malchiodi. In an article about the benefits of doodling, Malchiodi cites recent research on doodling and memory retention. It seems that the act of doodling while performing a specific function helps retain the memory of the function. Malchiodi also discusses in the same article, the current “Zentangle” craze as another example of the health benefits of doodling. “Zentangle” is more structured than simple doodling and creates a meditative concentration in the process that is both soothing and calming for the heart.
Maybe all those people who scold doodlers are the same analytical types who don’t understand daydreaming either. Now we know. Daydreaming and doodling are techniques of the right -brained creative types allowing the brain to work out and solve complex problems. As both activities are meditative in nature, these creative folks are soothing and relaxing the heart at the same time. So go ahead, doodle and daydream to your heart’s content. You just may be about to solve a great human dilemma or come up with the next greatest invention. You could be the inventor of the soon-to-be latest hot must-have item. Grab a pen and start doodling. The world is waiting for your great creation! At the very least, you’ll be healthier.
The day dreaming post is Meandering Toward Insight
Where were you when I was in school doodling on every note. Now I type, so it’s harder to doodle. 🙂 I surf instead! 🙂
Me too! But I’m working on getting back to it!
I bought a tablet, and even though I don’t use it much, I’m amazed at what I can do for an untalented person. 🙂
You just have the talent buried. Get it out and play with it!
Talent, maybe, time definitely not! With my ??? talent, I need lots of time.
I worked for an architecture firm for ten years. They specialized in designing hospitals and health care facilities. There is a growing movement towards alternative therapies like this, including color and aromatherapy, healing gardens, soothing piano music, natural light, pet therapy, etc.
Yes!! It’s great!!
Isn’t it great! I hope the movement continues to grow, grow, Grow!!