Improved Memory. When you actually write something down by hand, you're more likely to remember it than if you just try to remember on your own, or if you type it on a keyboard. Many therapists and counselors advise those with memory retention struggles to write out things like "to do" lists or other important information, because the act of physically writing it out is linked to creating more enduring memories.

Improved Spelling. Statistically speaking, people spell better when they're writing by hand than they are when they're typing, although the research is unclear whether there's a technical component of that (i.e., whether inadvertent typos were taking into consideration when evaluating someone's ability to spell while typing).

Improved Creativity. When brainstorming, a lot of people prefer to do so with paper and a writing implement of choice, as there's often the impression that you're freer to ideate and dream because you're not restricted by a fixed system (i.e., a word processor that can only string letters together into words in a specific order) and can doodle, illustrate, write out of order, draw arrows, etc.

Improved Thinking. Similar to creativity, writing can improve your thinking by using a different area of your brain than the one that's used when you type. Typing is a rote skill, and especially among white collar workers that use computers for tasks like writing reports, composing emails, etc., the act of typing words onto a screen can be process that doesn't require a lot of thought. At least compared to a process where you're using the creative part of your brain to compose and form words that are shaped by hand, as is the case with handwriting.

Therapeutic. Numerous studies and articles have highlighted the therapeutic affects of writing (or other activities done by hand with paper and writing implements, such as sketching, tracing, coloring, etc.). There's something about the tactile experience of putting ink or graphite to paper that can improve mood, help with self expression, and other positive qualities associated with healthy mental processes.