The write stuff
From increasing wellbeing to decreasing stress, writing a letter is one of the best ways to stay in contact with friends and family.
Given the times we live in, it’s perhaps no surprise that letter writing, using good old-fashioned pen and paper, is becoming more common. With people craving more contact with friends and family, dashing off an email or liking a social media post just doesn’t have the personal touch of a well-chosen card or handwritten letter. And for many people, the excuse of not having the time has been taken away, along with the daily commute and jam-packed schedule.
Our latest research has backed up the advantages that letter writing has, with nearly three quarters of people (74 per cent) feeling that writing letters has positive mental health benefits. Those benefits include an increase in wellbeing, a decrease in stress, and the promotion of mindfulness.
The benefits don’t stop when the letter is posted. For the receiver there’s a great sense of excitement and gratitude, that someone has taken the time to sit down and carefully put their thoughts down on paper. Penning a letter by hand encourages the writer to think about what they want to say and the message they want to get across – something that within seconds of opening demonstrates that you really care about the other person.
David Gold, director of public affairs and policy, said: ‘Handwritten correspondence is a very powerful way of connecting and showing someone close that you care, particularly during these difficult and sometimes isolating times.’
If you’re in any doubt about the benefits of writing and posting a letter, here are our top five reasons to put pen to paper:
1. It’s personal – There’s nothing more personal than writing a letter. With no one present but yourself, you can focus on what you want to say and how you want to say it.
2. It’s relaxing – Sitting down to write a letter, with no distractions, can be one of the most relaxing things you can do. The concentration required to neatly write a message in just the right tone means that time flies by and all day-to-day worries are temporarily forgotten.
3. It promotes self-reflection – Writing a letter needs careful consideration of what you want to say, and the relative slowness of writing by hand gives you the time to weigh up how you think about topics, such as your relationships, your job, your feelings.
4. It’s great for mental health – The thought that you’re putting time and effort into creating something lasting and permanent, and the knowledge that you’re about to brighten up someone’s day, can result in a welcome boost for your mood.
5. It provides a physical reminder of a heartfelt message – Letters provide an instant reminder of the past, a nostalgic journey to people, places and thoughts that may have been forgotten. For those lucky enough to have a collection of letters from family or friends that may not be around anymore, letters can also be a much-needed source of comfort and pleasure.
