Some things can only be written by hand. A love note, a letter of apology, that poem.

According to this study, writing by hand, has many benefits, activating the brain in unique ways that typing does not. Science shows that writing by hand:

1. improves learning,
2. improves writing,
3. reduces distraction, and
4. keeps the brain sharp.

Putting ink to paper stimulates a part of the brain called the Reticular Activating System, or the RAS. According to Lifehacker,

The RAS acts as a filter for everything your brain needs to process, giving more importance to the stuff that you’re actively focusing on that moment — something that the physical act of writing brings to the forefront.

So grab a pen and paper today.