Number 64 in our countdown of '70 Ways Art Improves Our Health' explains how doodling is much more than ‘mindless’...

Often described as ‘aimless’ or ‘mindless’, doodling gets a bad rep. But it deserves so much more respect. Recent research in neuroscience and psychology shows that spontaneous drawing can help us stay focussed, understand new concepts and remember information.

A study in 2009 found that, when assisted by doodling, participants were able to recall 29% more information on a memory test than those using only their willpower.

“For most people, the big question isn’t ‘when did you start drawing?’ but ‘when did you stop drawing?’”

There is also some evidence to suggest that doodling may help relieve psychological distress. We like to make sense of our lives by building clear, straightforward stories. But sometimes this isn’t possible. Doodling may help us make more sense of our lives by helping us to recall missing memories and filling gaps in our story.

The most important thing about doodling is that it needs no artistic talent. Anyone can do it! In his 2015 article, Stephen Heller said:

“For most people, the big question isn’t ‘when did you start drawing?’ but ‘when did you stop drawing?’ Virtually everyone drew and doodled at one point in their lives. For artists and non-artists alike, drawing is about more than art - it’s about the very art of thinking.”

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