Dallas
Chiropractc Neurologist Comments
I heard this story on Doodling on NPR this morning ....
No, doodling does not equal boredom. In fact, quite the opposite. Doodling actually HELPS your brain from becoming bored.
I used to get in trouble all the time in grade school and middle school for drawing all over the margins of my test papers. What did I draw? I don't know what it means, but I'd draw 3-D shapes like cubes, cones, spheres..and then I'd branch out and draw small islands with a lone coconut tree. (Maybe I watched too much Giligan's Island).
I still remember Mrs. Wagnon writing in red felt-tip marker on one of my quizzes
It makes perfect sense why doodling helps your brain.
Basically, your brain needs to be stimulated to stay alive and healthy. If it's not getting adequate stimulation from your environment a back-up system sort of kicks in. You start doodling and that physical activity keeps your brain stimulated.
The NPR story quoted a study done in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology that discovered people who doodled had better memories. Very cool.
In my own practice I've used doodling in my treatment of various neurological problems like dyslexia and learning disablities, stroke rehab, even chronic pain conditions like Fibromyalgia.
Doodling is a kind of "non-linear complex fine motor movement" (more on that some other time) that is very stimulating to the cerebellum and also the cortex.
Make sure to read the story, I found it very enlightening (but I'm kind of a nerd).
FYI.....I wrote a short report about "The Two Things Your Brain Needs to Be Healthy", it's full of useful information to keep your brain in top shape and avoid early brain aging.
Just email me and I'll get it to you.





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