Doodling improves concentration and retention of information
Jackie Andrade, psychologist at the University of Plymouth in southern England, conducted a study that revealed doodlers remember more than people who don’t doodle when they’re asked to retain information being presented to them in a dull fashion (i.e. drawn out lectures or meetings). Andrade’s theory is that doodling requires just enough cognitive effort to keep a person from daydreaming. Daydreaming requires a lot of brain power because it often leads people down rabbit holes in their own minds. Thus, daydreamers aren’t able to retain as much information as doodlers because they’re drifting off thinking about other things.
Doodling helps spur creative insight
Many people find themselves doodling when they are not totally focused for one reason or another. This is a sign that you brain needs to “turn off” for a bit and doodling helps do just that. Doodling acts as break for the focus part of your brain. Studies show that turning your brain off for a bit results in more creative thinking. So, are you feeling stuck on a problem at work? Grab a set of MoodClue liquid chalk markers and let your brain take a break while you doodle on your laminate desk or glass board. Doodling will help you take in information and look at it in a different way resulting in more creative ideas.
Doodling alleviates stress
Has anyone recommended you get an adult coloring book? This may sound silly to some but doodling and coloring have been proven to decrease stress because they are simple and repetitive tasks. One theory is that the repetitive and rhythmic motion of drawing allows people to go into a state of mindlessness and turns off the fight-or-flight part of the brain. As people get older, they tend to have less creative outlets so they turn to doodling. You may not consider doodling “art” but it reduces stress hormones just like crafting and making art does.
Doodling keeps you in the present
Going back to all of our previous points – Doodling is mindless enough that during a meeting or class you can doodle while retaining the information and coming up with creative ideas. Doodling is also mindless enough that it can be your time to reflect on your day or your life or that meeting… Doodling can be the creative outlet that so many adults are desperately looking for that brings that “high” of knowing that you made something (even if it eventually gets thrown away). Use doodling as a time just for you to do what you need to do in that moment.