Why Doodle?

Tiny drawings on the corners of paper in class, whether flowers or eyes or even just seemingly meaningless scribbles - I’m sure we’ve all done it. Doodling is a common fidget, especially during long lectures or seemingly endless tests. Many teachers and parents look down on it as an irritating distraction, but studies continue to prove that it’s much more than that. 

Fidgeting and doodling has been proven to provide a “break” for your brain while trying to remember large amounts of information, because focusing solely on retaining information puts a large strain on your brain that doodling relieves. Additionally, doodling can provide a last-ditch effort to stay alert while bored and trying to retain information. Even just filling in a simple shape can greatly improve the amount of information retained from a lecture, and helps to fill in gaps in memory while studying. Overall, doodling creates a “mental break” while listening that overall improves focus.

Doodling can also reduce cortisone (stress hormone) levels, providing a psychological break from intense situations. Seemingly unimportant doodles can be used as a release from trauma or anxiety, and drawing is often used by psychologists to help work through problems.