The brain is divided into two halves, or hemispheres, with each hemisphere associated with specific brain processes. The left side of the brain controls analytical and verbal communication. The right side of the brain controls artistic, nonverbal forms of expression. The left side focuses on pieces of the puzzle, the right side often sees the whole. Certain activities that use the right side of the brain keeps it sharp and healthy.
Random Line Generating
Random line generating uses artistic skill, the ability to see patterns within chaos, and the capability to see the whole picture. Take a pen or pencil and start drawing one line with random swirls and movements. Weave the line in and out. Randomly stop drawing, putting the pencil down. Look at the picture and try to pick out shapes or pictures within the random line. Use shading techniques or crayons to color the loops and lines to make the intuitive picture stand out. For added brain exercise, try using the non-dominant hand to create the random line generation.
Music
Music engages the left side's mathematical skills and the right side's nonverbal and artistic expression. The act of following written music is very analytical but improvising music and creating new pieces are right-brained activities. Try randomly singing phrases or lists rather than just saying them out loud. Listen to classical music and let your mind wander, creating images against your closed eyelids. If you are musically talented, try composing your own pieces. Even short pieces of music require great amounts of right-sided creativity.
Art in General
The ability to draw, paint, sculpt and create in general, are right-brained activities. Taking art classes or even just spending some time playing with various artistic supplies can be great activities for the right side of the brain. Do not worry about skill level or the beauty of the final product; instead, focus on your emotions as you create the piece.
Intuition
Intuition is the ability to make a guess about the outcome without analyzing the data. The right side of the brain picks up on clues that our conscious mind may not fully realize, making a "hunch" seem almost magical. Even just sorting out one possibility from a host of random possibilities requires right-brained activity. Try guessing who is on the other end of a phone call before picking up the phone. Visualize a card and then cut a deck of cards to see if you can pick that card out. Feel what emotion a friend or family member is experiencing and then call and see if your guess was correct.
