How to Develop the Right Brain: 7 Simple Daily Exercises

Have you ever thought about whether you are more creative or more logical? People often say that “right-brained” people are more artistic and creative, while “left-brained” people are more analytic and better with logic or details. But the truth is, our brains don’t work in two separate halves; they actually work together with both sides helping with different tasks and ideas. 

However, certain activities can help activate the more creative, imaginative, and intuitive parts of your brain, or what we often refer to as the “right brain.” Activating your right brain is important because it can improve creativity, enhance your problem-solving capabilities, and actually keep your mind sharp as you age. 

Therefore, if you want to develop your right brain and explore your CREATIVE SIDE, here are 7 simple activities you can try every day.

1. Explore Your Creative Side with Visual Arts

One of the most effective ways of activating your right brain is by doing something creative, like drawing, painting, or anything else, any form of visual art. When you create art, you’re allowing yourself to express ideas and emotions in a non-logical way. This lets your right brain take the lead, while your left brain (which likes order and logic) can take a backseat. 

You don’t need to be a professional artist to benefit from this exercise. Just grab a sketchbook and doodle, or try painting or even coloring in a coloring book. As you do this regularly, you’ll start to notice that your creative thinking improves in other areas of your life too.

2. Try Performing Arts for a Mental Boost

If you’re looking for an active way to engage your right brain, performing arts are perfect. It could be acting in a play, dancing, or playing a musical instrument; performing is about creatively thinking and expressing emotions, without relying on logical thinking.

For example, when you dance, you’re using your body to express a feeling or a story, and that involves your right brain. Acting requires you to tap into emotions and use your imagination, which also engages the creative side of your mind. 

3. Practice Mindfulness to Clear Your Mind

Mindfulness exercises such as meditation or yoga can also help you develop your right brain. Mindfulness activities are all about calming your mind, being in the present, and being aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Meditation allows you to clear away the noise of everyday life and connect with your inner self, boosting your creativity.

When you practice mindfulness, you’re not focused on planning, organizing, or solving problems; you’re simply being present. 

4. Challenge Your Brain with Puzzles

Another great way of engaging your right brain is through puzzles. Be it a jigsaw puzzle, a crossword, or a Sudoku, your brain is forced to think in new, innovative and creative ways. Your right brain is involved when you try to match shapes, colors or patterns, while your left brain organizes the pieces and maintains order.

Regularly solving puzzles can help improve your visual-spatial reasoning, memory, and problem-solving skills. The more puzzles you do, the better your brain gets at making connections, thinking outside the box, and finding solutions in creative ways.

5. Get Creative in the Kitchen

Cooking is not something you might have thought of as a way to develop your right brain but it can be a very creative process! Cooking is all about experimenting with flavors, texture, and ingredients, and, most importantly, using your imagination! You can start by creating your own twist on a recipe or by just cooking with what you have available on your pantry.

Do you know the best part? Cooking engages all of your senses: taste, smell, touch and sight, which stimulates your brain! It could be deciding on which new soup to make, a pie to bake, or just throwing together a salad; you will be using your right brain to make decisions, combine flavors and create something unique.

6. Spend Time in Nature with Gardening

Gardening is another activity that can help you develop your right brain. It involves creativity as you design your garden, plan how plants will grow, and make decisions about what to plant and where. Gardening also connects you to nature, which can be very grounding and calming for your mind.

As you dig in the soil, plant seeds, and watch your garden grow, you shift into a more creative, peaceful space. Gardening is also a good way to incorporate physical activity with brain stimulation. Plus, when you see your plants flourish, or your vegetables grow, you feel a level of accomplishment that can brighten your day and motivate you to keep moving forward.

7. Engage in Playful Activities and Movement

Sometimes, the best way to activate the right side of your brain is to simply have fun. When you engage in fun activities no matter whether it’s dancing, playing with your pet, or even jumping on a trampoline, etc., it helps get your body moving and your mind engaged in a creative way. 

One reason why dancing works so well is that it promotes free movement and expression. When you let go of structured thinking and just focus on moving, you allow your brain to get into a more creative state. So the next time you feel blocked or uninspired, try taking a dance break or playing a silly game to recharge your brain.

Take Your Time and Enjoy the Process

Developing the right side of your brain requires time, so be patient with yourself. The more you do “creative” things, the easier it becomes to think in new and imaginative ways. If one thing does not work, try something else. Just keep your mind active and, most importantly, have fun with it!

So go ahead, give these simple exercises a try, and find out how they can help you become more creative, mindful and mentally sharp!

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