Drawing is an essential tool
If you shy away from drawing because you think it is for artists only here is some evidence that shows the benefits from a personal aspect but also how it can be used for problem solving.
The effect on the soul.
Drawing can be an enjoyable passion but it also reduces stress and makes you happier. NPR’s article Feeling Artsy? Here's How Making Art Helps Your Brain explains some of the benefits. We’ve summarized the key points here:
It helps you imagine a more hopeful future.
It activates the reward center of our brain
It lowers stress
It lets you focus deeply
Finding the right artistic expression is key. Drawing can be art therapy but it also helps you focus on problems in a deeper way.
The effect on concentration and memory
Scientists show that doing a secondary task, such as structured doodling, significantly increases memory and concentration. A study by Applied Cognitive Psychology showed that doodling encoded information and can improve memory recall up to 29%. This WSJ article elaborates even more by giving examples of how doodling or drawing can help you stay focused, grasp new concepts and retain information.
Given that we are constantly distracted it is difficult solving problems in this state. So the next time you are in a meeting grab a pen and paper, when listening to someone talk, and explain that it is scientifically proven to help your memory.