I have been reading a lot about right brain and left brain thinking recently, so I was very interested when I stumbled upon a simple test that shows you if you are right or left brain dominant.
Click Here for the Brain Dominance Test
Not surprisingly, I am right brain dominant. Here are some general differences between people who are right brain and left brain dominant:
LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe
RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
“big picture” oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can “get it” (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking
In order for us to have full access to our full potential, we need to be able to access both sides of our brains. I was pleasantly surprised that with some effort, I could make the dancer spin in the other direction, which means that I am using the left side of my brain, which is normally sitting relatively dormant.
Research is continually showing that using our brain in new ways is one of the best ways to prevent brain shrinkage, and ultimately Alzheimer’s and dementia. The right brain left brain test can show us which part of our brain is most in need of some work.
I actually really enjoy doing addition and math problems, as well as logic and sudoku puzzles. I try not to use a calculator when I need to do number crunching. I am sure that for me, who lives in the creative fantasy world of the right brain, this is particularly beneficial to me, and truly works my brain in the way that will prevent future illness and disease (providing I continue to enjoy an abundance of super foods for the brain…Find out more about How to Prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia Naturally)
On the other hand, I am sure there are many left brained people who love doing math and logic puzzles in their spare time, who may be better off trying something creative, such as painting or poetry in order to work their brain.
Finding out which side of our brain is dominant is a good starting point for realising how our brain works, and how we can wake up other parts of our brains to not only prevent disease, but to live up to our full potential as human beings.
Imagine how much more full our lives will be if we are using every part of our brain. Einstein is a perfect example of someone who used both sides of his brain interchangeably. He was obviously incredibly scientific, logical, and math oriented, yet he was completely in touch with his intuition and right brain creativity.
He once said that “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” (Not a quote you would think of as coming from the typical left brain scientist.)
Although I am perfectly happy in my right brain bubble, I can see how a healthy dose of left brain logic would be good for me. Perhaps I shall buy myself a logic puzzle for my train ride to London tomorrow…
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September 1st, 2008 at 6:04 pm
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October 8th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
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