Working with your hands turns out to bring various benefits, both physical and mental. It can also help develop practical and creative skills. Check out our different workshops to do more with your hands and explore the craft of baking.
Why is “thinking with your hands” so important for unlocking creativity?
The concept of “thinking with your hands”—that is, engaging in hands-on making or physical interaction—activates areas of the brain that remain largely untapped during purely verbal or abstract thought. This physical engagement can stimulate new neural pathways and open the door to fresh perspectives and ideas. For instance, many mathematicians and physicists prefer using traditional chalkboards to explore complex concepts. The tactile act of writing, combined with the subtle sound and resistance of chalk on the board, seems to support deeper cognitive processing and enhance creative flow. Other possible explanations for this are:
- Tactile Experience: Writing with chalk feels different than using markers. Many people find the feel of chalk more satisfying and better for deep thinking and solving problems. The chalk also makes sound.
- Slower Pace: Writing with chalk is often slower than using markers or digital tools. This encourages a more thoughtful approach to explaining and working through problems.
- Tradition and Culture: The use of chalkboards is an old tradition in academic settings, especially in mathematics and physics. Many students and professors are accustomed to this method and feel comfortable with it.
Read more about hands, sourdough and bread
Upcoming workshops, events & experiences
10:30 - 13:00
17:30 - 19:30
Here are more reasons why it is worthwhile to work with your hands:
- Health and Fitness: Physical work can help keep your body active and healthy. It can contribute to better fitness and muscle strength.
- Mental Health: Manual work can be therapeutic and help reduce stress and anxiety. It often provides a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
- Creativity: Working with your hands can stimulate your creativity. Whether you are painting, carpentry, or gardening, manual work can bring out your creative side.
- Practical Skills: By working with your hands, you develop practical skills that can be useful in everyday life. This can range from household repairs to gardening and cooking.
- Immediate Results: Manual work often produces immediate visible results, which can be very satisfying. Seeing the fruits of your labor can be motivating and encouraging.
- Connection with Nature: Many manual jobs and hobbies, such as gardening or woodworking, bring you into direct contact with natural materials and the outdoors, which can enhance your well-being.
- Cognitive Benefits: Performing manual tasks can improve cognitive skills, such as problem-solving and hand-eye coordination.
- Community and Social Bonds: Many manual jobs and hobbies are shared within communities, allowing you to build and maintain social connections.
- Meaningfulness: Working with your hands can provide a deeper sense of purpose by creating something tangible. This can contribute to a sense of pride and identity.
References:
- The Importance of Cursive Handwriting Over Typewriting for Learning in the Classroom: A High-Density EEG Study of 12-Year-Old Children and Young Adults
- Working With Your Hands Is Good for Your Brain
- The Hand: How Its Use Shapes the Brain, Language, and Human Culture
- Artistic Scientists and Scientific Artists: The Link Between Polymathy and Creativity.