Spirit of Bonhomie - Day Three

Write a letter

Today’s gift is one of a letter. I am going to ask you to write a letter. It can be for yourself, or anyone else. Just take some time to put pen to paper and really mean it.

Letter writing is a fascinating topic that intersects both cognitive neuroscience and human connection.

Let’s discover why:

1. Word Recognition and Reading:

   • When we read, our brains engage in intricate processes. Skilled readers rapidly process letters in parallel, identifying words parafoveally (before their eyes land on the word). This automatic, parafoveal processing speeds up reading by decreasing word recognition time.

   • Phonology (the sound structure of language) plays a significant role in word processing. Evidence suggests that phonological processes facilitate word recognition within the first tenth of a second of seeing a word

2. Handwriting vs. Typing:

   • Writing by hand involves fine motor control over the fingers. Brain imaging studies reveal that multiple brain areas become co-activated during the learning of cursive writing. This spill-over benefit extends to thinking skills used in reading and writing

   • Interestingly, writing something down by hand requires deep thought and builds over 10,000 new neural pathways in one sitting. In contrast, typing on a computer appears to create only around 600 new pathways

3. The Sensuality of Letter Writing:

   • Beyond neuroscience, there’s a sensual aspect to letter writing. When you put pen to paper, you slow down, breathe deeply, and engage in a more deliberate process.

   • Perhaps it’s the act of physically shaping letters, the tactile sensation of paper, or the anticipation of receiving a handwritten note that makes it feel intimate and special.

So, the next time you pick up a pen to write a letter, know that you’re not only connecting with someone but also creating neural pathways in your brain. 📝✨

I once a letter to a stranger in a far off land who requested a hand written note as I was attempting to revive the art of letter writing.

Who can you write to?

What will you write about?

Make notes about how it improves your connection with human beings.

That is the focus of this month.

To improve our spirit of bonhomie and good cheer.

Try it you may like it.

If anyone would like a handwritten letter from me then please do ask. I am only too happy to provide one.

“How wonderful it is to be able to write someone a letter! To feel like conveying your thoughts to a person, to sit at your desk and pick up a pen, to put your thoughts into words like this is truly marvelous.”