The brain is divided into two hemispheres – Left and Right. The Left brain controls the right-hand side of the body and the right brain controls the left side of the body. Apart from this, science also tells us that the left brain controls your ability to think logically, while the right brains control your creativity.
The left brain is calculative and definitive and on the other hand, the right brain is innovative and dynamic. In an ideal world, we need both aspects of thinking to solve any problem. Both the hemispheres should work in perfect synergy to give you the right kind of capability.
Sadly, today’s education system is all about lecture, drill, and test and revolves around self-contained silos of information. Are we indirectly training children to use their left brain when more and more of the world is driven by a right-brain thought?
If so what are the implications of the left-side brain oriented education approach? Read on to explore how a balanced approach towards exercising both the capabilities of the brain can be beneficial in the long run.
Left Brain vs Right Brain – The Importance of Balance
The Left Hemisphere – Generally more sequential, Linear, logical, practical, mathematical, analytical, scientific, and time-oriented.
The Right Hemisphere – More non-linear, intuitive, abstract, big-picture focused, creative, and space-oriented.
The education system based on wrote-learning and logical thinking emphasizes the use of left hemisphere more than the other, thus creating an imbalance. Here are the benefits of a balanced approach and the ways you can bring about a balance:
Unlock Your Brain’s Limitless Potential
As with a muscle, the more the brain is exercised, the more its capacity to learn and remember. It becomes important to balance both brain hemispheres if you wish to experience an accurate perception of reality.
The human brain is divided into two and connected by Corpus Callosum. The Corpus Callosum is a thick band of nerve fibers that enable communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
When both the aspects of the brain work together, you can adopt both a liner and holistic approach of perception. In simple words, seeing the parts as they are in reality and how they can be connected to work together is the best way to perceive a problem and come up with the right solution.
How Can You Balance Your Left and Right Brain Hemisphere?
Balancing your brain’s hemispheres can be done in a variety of easy, effective and fun ways. Here are a few of them:
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Meditation
No matter what your age, meditation is the easiest way to stimulate your brain to achieve its balance and enable both the hemispheres to work in sync. Just as exercise provides physical benefits to the body, meditation stimulates your nervous system into optimal brain performance. Yoga and its breathing techniques can also help you focus, improve brain function and bring about a balance.
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Listening to Music and Creating Music
Listening to music, especially with music and sounds from nature that are embedded in a type of music called binaural beats help to stimulate the brain. It can help the brain to move into the delta and theta frequencies producing a deep meditative state.
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Experiment for your Brain’s Sake
Most of us in this world are left-brain dominated, thanks to the education system which has forced us to constantly adapt logical and rational thinking so much so that thinking out of the box becomes really impossible for many.
Engage in activities out of your comfort zone and improvise yourself without following a methodical approach. For example, creative writing, writing a blog, creating a piece of art, cooking without following a recipe, light-hearted dancing without following the steps, all help to stimulate the right brain and inculcate a balance.
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Enjoy the Nature
Take a walk along your neighborhood or in a park and let loose without thinking about anything. Just take the time to enjoy nature, stare at trees or birds and just live in the moment. This lets you be intuitive and possibly help you stretch your right brain hemisphere.
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Engage in Sports or Exercise
Sports that is not structured as you play in leagues and any type of physical exercise is good for the brain. Simply step outside, shoot some hoops or play cricket at the local park. Get out of your routine and exercise in a gym or at home.
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Whole Brain Teaching
The education system needs reform and should seek to adopt methodologies that involve using both the left and right brain. Teachers or parents can use the right strategies for whole brain teaching to tap into both regions such as encouraging children to visualize, draw and act on what they are learning. This will help to make better connections and maximize brain function.
Every one of us has a brain imbalance. While most of us are left-brain oriented, some are also right-brain oriented. The key to better brain function is to achieve a balance between both the hemispheres. Remember that your brain works in a “use it or lose it” model and when you are not using one part of the brain efficiently it will alter your way of thinking.
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