After finishing my studies, that thought that I would not have to write so much anymore was such a relief. Years and years of toiling with all kinds of writing tools — pencils, fountain pens, ball pens and what not — and usually as fast as the hand muscles could move, had almost turned the poor fingers crooked. And in those days, all assignments were submitted handwritten, imagine the workload the hands did!

No wonder that after finishing the last paper in university and putting the pen down, I vowed never to give any other exam or study further. I had had enough of my fingers, wrists and arm all aching from endless hours of writing. I wanted to be free!

But it didn’t take me long to realise that it is impossible to do without using one’s hands and fingers because the computer keyboard and mouse bring their own kind of pain. And in the case of computer usage, the pain doesn’t end at the arm, it extends to the neck, shoulders and back too!

that it is impossible to do without using one’s hands and fingers because the computer keyboard and mouse bring their own kind of pain. And in the case of computer usage, the pain doesn’t end at the arm, it extends to the neck, shoulders and back too!

It is ironic that now after being away from a pen and paper, when sometimes I do have to write, I actually enjoy this change, though the handwriting has turned pretty horrible.

Maybe this is because these days there are more varieties of pens available than there were a few years ago.

Ball pens have become smoother, jell pens boast the finest of tips and no leakage, and pointers of all types and colours make writing a pleasure. It is the same story with pencils and other stationery items.

There are also special pens for people who get writer’s cramp or have any other issue when using a regular pen.

But even with all such easy-to-hold and smoothly-flowing pens, the hands really take a beating when studies are moving at full throttle.

Thankfully there are practical and easy ways to ease the stress our hand and fingers suffer during our academic journey.

One of the foremost things to pay attention to is the kind of pencil or pen you are using. If you are using a pencil, see whether the round ones with no pointed edges are more comfortable to use or the hexagonal, six-sided, ones with edges.

Use the one that your fingers can grip comfortably without it poking into the flesh. If both are fine with you, use the one that flows faster on the paper. You should also switch from one type to another regularly so that you don’t get calluses on finger tips from constant pressure at one point.

Whether you are using a pen or pencil, always keep an assortment of pens or pencils of different sizes and grips, and switch to a different pen or pencil when your hand starts to hurt. The change really helps.

Lightweight pencils and pens are always less tiring. And don’t judge a pen or pencil by its price, because not everything that is expensive or of the latest variety is necessarily the best.

It is my experience that the most commonly used brands which come in the mid-price range are usually the most comfortable to use and also the ones that produce the best result.

These days the common pointers are very light, easy to grip and they flow very fast and smoothly. They are a pleasure to use but the only drawback is that the nib loosens up and bends pretty fast and then the line become thicker and somewhat smudged.

Nowadays there are also ball pens available that come with soft rubber padding over the area where the fingers hold the pen. They are definitely a lot easier on the fingers than the regular pens and if you haven’t tried them, do so. You will feel the difference instantly.

I have also read about some special pens that are specifically designed to make writing a more comfortable experience for people who have hand strain due to excessive writing, or have finger calluses, arthritis or an injury. These ergonomic pens or pencil grips properly position the hand and fingers to minimise the stress on them, thus greatly reducing or eliminating pain altogether. Sadly, I haven’t come across such things in Pakistan.

Some of us have the habit of pressing the pen heavily against the paper to write. This is a sure shot way to tire yourself out in minutes and it is not needed if your pen/pencil flows smoothly over the page. Change your pen or pencil if the writing is too light unless you exert pressure. It shouldn’t be the case.

Having talked about using the right writing instruments, another important factor that can ease stress during writing is the position of the paper/notebook. Needless to say, it is important to have the right posture when writing so that you don’t strain you back, neck, shoulders and hand, because when you are writing a lot, you are bound to tire yourself and strain other parts of the body than just your hands.

The writing surface needs to be of a height where you don’t have to bend too much or lift your shoulders to write. Often the wrong posture and hand placement leads to discomfort and pain sooner than hours-long writing sessions. And it is the wrong position of our body and hand that makes us exerts extra pressure on the pen that leads to the hand and fingers aching.

So before beginning to write, make yourself comfortable. For exams, carry a writing board so that if the desk or writing surface is of the wrong height or position, you can keep the answer sheet on the writing board and place it the way it is more comfortable for you to write.

For me the position of the paper/notebook is very important. I can’t write with the paper placed straight in front of me while my hand goes from left to right as I write. I always place it at 45 to 60 degrees angle from my body, where my hands move from my direction to the front. Though it means I have to read what I am writing from sideways, my writing and speed are better this way, with less strain.

Take breaks when writing. Even during exams when you are hard pressed for time, a few seconds’ break will help a lot. Keep the pen down and flex your fingers, move your arm and shoulder to relax the muscles.

There is no rocket science about ways to avoid aching hands and fingers due to writing. All that we have discussed are things that most people already do, but we tend to ignore these tips when hard pressed for time and the brain is preoccupied in learning and recalling all the coursework.

Follow these tips yourself and also tell them to your friends when you see them holding their hands in pain.

Tips and tricks

• The correct way to write is by moving the shoulder, elbow and wrist, and not the fingers. Your fingers should just focus on holding the pen correctly and forming the letters with the slightest of movements in the fingers.

• Rotate the paper anticlockwise at about 45 degrees angle, so that the top right corner and the bottom left corner form a straight line to the chest. This is for those who are right-handed. For the lefties, rotate the paper clockwise.

• Use your free hand to move the paper as you write and don’t use the your writing hand for this.

• Squeeze a tennis ball or stress ball firmly for five to 10 seconds. This removes the tension from the fingers and strengthens the wrists.

• Extend the arm you hold your pen in, in front of you at shoulder height. Keep your palm facing the floor, then slowly release your wrist so that the fingers point downward. With your free hand, gently grasp the fingers and pull them back toward your body. Hold this way for 10 to 30 seconds. Repeat the stretch for the second arm.

• Now extend your arm with your palm facing up toward the ceiling. With your free hand, gently press your fingers down toward the floor and your body. Hold for 10 to 30 seconds. Stretch the other arm in the same way.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 17th, 2018