The right side of the brain is responsible for random and creative thought processes as well as more intuitive, versus rational, thinking, according to Funderstanding.com. While the left side of the brain is more analytical and objective, the right side of the brain is subjective. The right brain controls the left side of the face and body and helps a person remember and understand, according to the Center for Neuro Skills. A variety of right-brain exercises may help restore function and cognitive thinking skills for those diagnosed with dementia or who have experienced trauma or right-side brain damage.
Opposite Brushing
Stimulate the right brain by brushing the teeth or hair with your non-dominant hand. Try writing or drawing with your non-dominant hand for awhile. The left brain controls right-handedness, while the right brain controls left-handedness. This will help the brain develop new connections or circuits that are activated by such an activity, suggests Lawrence Katz, Ph.D. of Neurobics.com, a website devoted to brain functions. The action of switching hands challenges the brain to adapt, which may be amusing or frustrating, but provides an effective workout for the right side of the brain.
No Peeking
A basic, yet very effective exercise for the right brain is to dress with your eyes closed, suggests Dr. Katz. If you have good balance, try bathing with your eyes closed. The right brain is responsible for body/place perception. Closing the eyes while showering or dressing challenges the brain to perform familiar functions without the visual cues that normally accompany them.
Use It or Lose It
The old saying, "use it or lose it" goes for the brain as well. Focusing on right-brain exercise that still incorporates left-brain function provides effective total-brain workouts that enhance problem-solving, processing speed and coordination and creativity, states Learning RX.com, a website dedicated to brain health. Play games that involve strategy thinking skills, like chess or checkers or card games like hearts or poker. Challenge the brain with new games, puzzles and thinking or reasoning word problems to exercise both right and left hemispheres of the brain.
Figure it Out
Visual games such Watizit, a Power Point visual presentation of puzzles (see reference link below) help the right side of the brain to reason through identifying parts of common objects that make up a whole. Such visual games help the right and left brain work together to identify bits and pieces of information that create part of a whole, increasing flow of information between the two halves of the brain.
