The right brain looks at the larger picture and is creative. The left brain deals with the details and is logical. That is why whole-brained thinking is an essential part of learning. "We often lose sight of the fact that it is ultimately just one brain. Like any other machinery, the brain too works most efficiently when all its parts work in harmony as a single cohesive unit," says Sanjay Chugh, Cognitive Science expert. He shares with us some interesting ways to not only keep each hemisphere more active, but also well- coordinated with the other half. 

Creative Visualisation 

Visualise something in detail. This engages both the left and right brains together as visualization is a right brain skill while focusing on detailed steps is a function of the left brain. For instance, we can visualize about a holiday in which we focus upon all the destinations, the planning, the bookings etc. in detail. 

Conscious Neuroplasticity 

Neuroplasticity is, in simple terms, the ability of the brain to rewire or reorganize itself. This essentially entails doing the same thing in a different way. When we do this, we are creating new pathways in the brain and weakening the old ones (that were not so effective). For instance, if we use a cautious approach, we may want to experiment with spontaneity and vice versa. If we can consciously bring about neuroplastic changes, it would help us juggle and exercise the left and the right brains while keeping them both on their toes. 

Play an Instrument 

Music appreciation is a right brain function and the left brain enables us to press the right key to get a certain sound. As we play an instrument, both hemispheres of the brain get synchronized. 

Sports and Games 

As a player checks out the field of play whether it is the soccer field or a chessboard, his right brain is getting polished. When he works out his path to the goal or his strategies to checkmate the other king, the left-brain gets activated . This is the reason why it is said that when we play, we are not just exercising the body but also the brain. 

The Stroop Task 

This task is based on the research work of John Ridley Stroop and you can view it here . This involves writing colour names in different coloured inks and then saying the colour of the ink instead of reading the colour word that is written. This task works brilliantly in creating coordination between the two parts of the brain as the right brain detects the colour while the left brain works to ensure that we do not read the word that is written. 

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