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What Are the Best Left Brain Exercises?

C. Mitchell
C. Mitchell

Scientists do not have definite information on the intricate workings of the brain. The human brain is a complex and impressive organ with 86 billion neurons and thousands of synapses per neuron. The neural networks that make up the brain perform a variety of functions such as collecting sensory information and responding to stimuli, learning and making decisions. Through continuous studies, scientists are discovering new things about the functions of the brain and debunking myths that were once considered to be fact. For example, it was once believed that different parts of the brain-- right and left-- control different functions and people are either "right-brained" or "left-brained." Although it is true that sometimes there is a preference to use a region of their brain for certain functions, scientists have found that the concept of being "right brained" or "left brained" does not exist.

Earlier, it was believed by most that the right brain was the home of spatial recognition abilities, visual and artistic aptitude, and musical skills whereas the left brain’s dominant features included language aptitude, logical reasoning, and rational skills like mathematical capabilities. Scientists now believe however that creativity and analytical thinking require the use of the entire brain and it is the connections between different brain regions that make these tasks possible. So a mathematician and a musician rely on all brain regions to perform their work.

Balancing a checkbook without a calculator can be a good left brain exercise.
Balancing a checkbook without a calculator can be a good left brain exercise.

In today's popular culture, many self-development tools rely on this notion of being "right-brained" or "left-brained." Considering new studies that disprove the notion, it is best not to get caught up on these categorizations and labels. The brain is very capable of change. It can learn and make new connections between neurons. The best brain development exercises are exercises that encourage the brain to make these new connections. So someone who is weak in math can engage regularly in math problems and logic puzzles to strengthen this skill.

Crossword puzzles are good brain exercisers.
Crossword puzzles are good brain exercisers.

Some companies sell workbooks or computer games geared towards brain improvement. These products can be helpful but are not always necessary. Brain activities exist in many everyday tasks. Forcing one’s self to balance the checkbook without a calculator, or estimate a grocery tab based on items in the cart are simple everyday exercises that will strengthen analytical skills. Solving crossword puzzles, making new words out of the letters in a given word or sentence and making lists and ordering items in closets or cupboards count are some other exercises. The goal of these exercises is to tap into analytical reasoning and logic, and no one method is necessarily better than another.

Discussion Comments

anon994926

As a previous poster mentioned you can not exercise just one half of your brain - absurd. Beyond that consider that tasks such as problem solving, math and visual art all require the use of one's entire brain not just one half operating while the other half is on vacation somewhere.

anon984663

It is not possible to exercise just one half of the brain. Tasks require the use of a human's whole brain.

Feryll

It makes sense to me that a person can exercise his brain and keep it in condition. After all, why should the brain be any different than the other parts of our bodies that benefit from exercise. When you use a muscle that muscle gets stronger. When you don't use it, the muscle deteriorates. By the way, solving math problems in your head is a good way to exercise your brain.

Drentel

@Laotionne - Who wouldn't want to believe that doing puzzles and doing brain exercises for memory will help all of us avoid senility in our old age? I certainly hope this is true, but I tend to lean the other way.

My mother didn't read much, she didn't do brain exercise and she eventually suffered from dementia. Actually, she developed this condition early. So you might say that this is another example of how lack of brain exercise can lead to dementia. However, in the assisted living facility where she lived the last years of her life, there were plenty of people in the same condition as she was in.

Many of the people in the facility had done brain exercises of some sort and they still developed dementia and memory loss. I think if you live long enough then there is a good chance that you will start to slow down mentally regardless of what brain exercise games you do.

Laotionne

I ha ad great aunt who used to do puzzles all of the time. People would give her puzzle books as gifts for Christmas and for her birthdays. She was a difficult person to buy for except for the puzzles. We always knew she would appreciate and use the puzzle books unlike many of the other gifts she received.

She lived to be 99 years old, and she was as sharp mentally when she died as she was at any other time in her life. The puzzles and word games were a big reason why she stayed mentally alert. She was a walking billboard for the benefits of brain teasers and the benefits of brain training exercises and brain stimulating exercises.

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    • Balancing a checkbook without a calculator can be a good left brain exercise.
      Balancing a checkbook without a calculator can be a good left brain exercise.
    • Crossword puzzles are good brain exercisers.
      By: Vlad Ivantcov
      Crossword puzzles are good brain exercisers.
    • The left side of the brain handles logic and reasoning.
      By: Athanasia Nomikou
      The left side of the brain handles logic and reasoning.
    • Math, logic, and spelling exercises can help improve left brain function.
      By: James Steidl
      Math, logic, and spelling exercises can help improve left brain function.
    • There is disagreement among medical researchers as to whether brain exercises can actually help strengthen either hemisphere of the brain.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      There is disagreement among medical researchers as to whether brain exercises can actually help strengthen either hemisphere of the brain.