Benefits Of Using Pen

12 Austin South Asian | February 2022 How To Tap Into The Benefits Of Using Pen And Paper

February is International Correspondence Writing Month (InCoWriMo) -- a challenge to handwrite a piece of correspondence each day of the month -- meaning there’s no better time to tap into the power of the handwritten word.

“With our many digital forms of communication, we have gained immediacy but lost intimacy,” says Ariann Langsam, vice president of marketing for Pilot Pen, whose background is in biology and neuroscience. “But handwriting is scientifically proven to solidify both cognitive connections needed for learning and comprehension, as well as emotional connections between individuals. We can make a powerful impact on the lives of others by connecting through the written word, and there are neurological and social benefits that keep writing by hand relevant not

While the trees and lights have come down, holiday-related shopping is not over yet. From returning unwanted items to redeeming gift cards, this time of year can feel just as busy for shoppers as the weeks leading up to Christmas. According to retail professionals, being prepared can help you avoid headaches. only during International Correspondence Writing Month, but all year long.” It’s Good for the Soul

In an era when digital devices and social media seem t o dominate how w e con nect with loved ones, the art of letter writing has be come rare. But sitting down to write correspondence by hand can be a much more personal way to connect than modern modes of communication. A recent study conducted by Pilot Corporation of America reinforced the emotional social benefits that come from putting pen to paper. A remarkable nine out of 10 respondents perceived cards with handwritten messages as more thoughtful and heartfelt than cards with printed messages.

Even more respondents (92%) shared that they have saved handwritten cards or letters from a loved one as a cherished keepsake. When asked what emotions they felt when receiving a handwritten card, respondents reported they felt “appreciated,” “touched,” “cared for,” and “recognized”. We could all use a bit more of these feelings. This month, consider taking a few

Tips To Navigate The Post-Holiday Shopping Season

“This period has always marked the biggest time of year for returns, even pre-pandemic,” says Brian Field, senior director, Global Retail Consulting Practice, Sensormatic Solutions, the leading global retail solutions portfolio of Johnson Controls. “However, with COVID concerns closing some fitting rooms, and more consumers doing their shopping online or using options like BOPIS -- buy online and pick up in-store -- you likely have more reasons than ever to hit up the stores and swap out unwanted items.”

Field notes that if you’re planning on making any returns, whether it’s shoes that don’t fit or beauty products you simply don’t want, you may face hurdles during the process. Returning items costs retailers time and money and involves supply chain, labor, transportation and warehousing costs. Due to a holiday hangover uptick in returns, you can expect to face some back-

up and delays. If you’re making your returns in-store, consider doing so early in the day or on weekdays if possible, to avoid crowds.

In general, e-commerce returns have surged since the start of the pandemic, making now a potentially good time to reevaluate how you shop online. Keep an eye out for retailers that offer perks like a tiered return policies for loyal members, such as waiving return shipping fees. If it’s a brand you shop with regularly, joining their membership program could save you big on money and convenience in the long-term.

As you’re redeeming your holiday season gift cards, know that many others are doing the same. A Sensormatic Solutions global consumer survey found that 39% of consumers were shopping for gift cards this holiday season.

“Gift cards have been a key holiday season trend for years, as it’s a quick and easy way to get your holiday shopping done successfully. However now we’re seeing consumers gravitate toward gift cards not only due to their convenience, but also as a result of the continued supply chain shortage,” says Peter McCall, senior manager, Retail Consulting and Advanced Analytics, Sensormatic Solutions. “With gift-givers seeking and not finding products on store shelves, many recipients unwrapped gift cards this year.”

As such, McCall notes that gift card holders can expect busy stores with other shoppers seeking the same hot-ticket items that were out of stock during the holidays.

For more post-holiday shopping insights, visit sensormatic.com.

However you go about your postholiday shopping, one thing is certain, U.S. retail is on an upswing. For the six-week holiday period from Black Friday through the end of the calendar year, total retail shopper visits were up 18.9% compared to the same period in 2020, demonstrating that amid the global impacts of Omicron, physical stores are resilient and still play a vital role in commerce. (StatePoint) minutes to send a handwritten note to a loved one or friend.

It’s Good for the Brain

The benefits of handwriting are firmly grounded in principles of learning and memory. For children, learning to handwrite letters plays a role in fostering the transition to literacy. Mounting evidence suggests that handwriting practice, particularly in preschool and early elementary school, may provide children an advantage in learning this vital skill.

Writing by hand serves students well beyond those early years. Researchers at Princeton and UCLA discovered that college students who took handwritten notes outperformed students who typed their notes. The study authors believe this is because typing notes lends itself to taking down information word-by-word. Taking notes by hand, however, required students to think more deeply about the lecture content and be judicious in what they wrote down. You may no longer be in school yourself, however you still likely need to record information. Whether it’s instructions from your boss, recommendations from your doctor, or thoughts before book club, consider jotting things down by hand to help you better synthesize information.

Make it Count

To impress your pen pals during the month of correspondence and make your InCoWriMo challenge a success, you’ll need to gather some supplies: stationery, envelopes, stamps and a trusty pen. To take on a month-long writing challenge, Pilot suggests the G2, America’s number one selling, longest-lasting gel ink pen. You’ll be able to glide well beyond 28 days of penning handwritten letters, taking notes, tackling to-do lists and anything else that comes across your desk. For tools and inspiration, visit PowerToThePen.com. From the classroom to correspondence and beyond, rediscover the art of handwriting and make a bigger impact by putting down the digital device and picking up a pen. (StatePoint)