Benefits of Writing Letters

5/31/2022

Advances in technology have made writing letters a beloved pastime rather than a consistent activity due to increased screen time and the desire for speed. Sending cards provides wellness benefits for both the sender and the receiver. To reinforce your emotional health and get inspired to stay in touch with handwritten letters in addition to online outlets, keep reading.

Nurturing Social Connections

If one is not careful, social media can give the illusion of keeping in touch by scrolling and seeing updates on friends and family without actually bonding with them outside an occasional like on their posts. Using this outlet on its own can create a false sense of closeness when one has not been connecting personally at all. When you write letters to people, it includes them in the same emotional ties of the experience with you, instead of the individual process of looking at updates on your phone to stay informed.

Handwriting letters gives you a chance to showcase authenticity to the recipient and opens the doors for them to respond, creating ongoing correspondence. This activity strengthens relationships and reduces loneliness with consistent interaction for life challenges and celebrations rather than at random when you see a photo or notification reminder online.

An Alternative To In Person Visits

When the preferable option of face-to-face quality time is not possible, sending a letter in the mail is the next best thing. Cards can keep us engaged with distant relatives, reignite neglected friendships due to busy lives, and show appreciation for people.

These days mailbox visits come with the expectation of junk mail and the occasional bill while seeing a thoughtful card in the mix is a pleasant surprise. It spreads joy and excitement to see a piece of mail from someone that cares.

Writing letters adds value to staying in touch as they require setting aside dedicated time for the recipient, indicating you are thinking of them specifically. This private display establishes more meaningful relationships, especially when expressing gratitude.

An Avenue for Self Expression

Without character limits and the need to abbreviate and keep things short, letters help you share more about yourself through storytelling strengthening your emotional health. Feeling that you can be your true self and share your inner thoughts and feelings is therapeutic for your mental health and healing when the occasion calls for it.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Being able to express yourself makes it easier to communicate, you more comfortable, and gives a distraction from daily stressors helping you to feel less anxious.

Keeps Traditions Alive

There is a lot of nostalgia surrounding letter writing; wishes to Santa, staying connected with family that live far away, notes passed in class to childhood friends, and love letters sent at the begining of the romance with your beloved.

The sentimental meaning of these types of letters provide us with tangible treasures to hold on to and look back on.

Promotes a Sharp Mind

Sitting down and putting pen to paper employs visual, motor, and cognitive brain processes differently than when using computers. It requires more thought to construct sentences and a slower pace to connect the mind with our hands, improving our memory and communication skills.

Confidence Booster

The communication skills we gain from writing, paired with good penmanship from practice, enables to feel more confident when writing and engaging with others.

Reduces Screen Time

By handwriting letters instead of typing emails or using social media apps, you take a break from technology and the negative impacts it can have on your health through overuse, such as desensitization, short attention span, and poor in-person interaction skills.

Now that there is motivation for you to start sending cards, it is time to ensure you have the supplies to get things started. Choose cards that showcase your style or favorite hobby to add personality to your letter. For ours, I went with a forest and mountain option to represent our hiking adventures. Scroll on down to get inspired by some of my top picks.

Shop Writing Essentials

Simply Sweet Made

A Thing Created

Paper Rose Print Studio

Letter Writing Tips & Best Practices

Be Thoughtful: Take your time when writing to convey everything you want to say and master the art of storytelling.
Have a Rough Draft: Starting on a regular notepad ensures you get your thoughts out eloquently without wasting a lovely notecard. Doing this allows for your own spell check and use of a dictionary if needed.
Dedicate Time: Set aside time to write to your list of family and friends. If you write rushed, it will come off that way to the recipient taking away from the meaning of you sending the card.

Do you have insights on the benefits of writing letters?
Share your knowledge and tips below!

Until next time,
Katherine

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