While most games use a combination of your right and left brain, studies have shown that if you work each side individually, you can strengthen your overall brainpower. So here are some ways your entire family can work out each side of their mind to increase everyone's brainpower.
The Right Side of Life
Traditionally, the right side of the brain is referred to as the creative side. It makes random connections between objects and ideas. It's very subjective and intuitive. So how do you give yourself a daily right-brained workout? Try this:
Contour your mind.
Contour drawing is an artistic technique for connecting the eye to what the hand sees. It works like this: Get a piece of blank paper (the bigger the better) and a pen. Look at a still object and then draw it on the paper without ever looking down or letting the pen come off of the paper. Do this for two minutes nonstop. (It's also fun to do with your children.)
The first drawings will look bad. But after doing it a few times, you'll start seeing improvement. Or in other words, your right brain will be getting stronger.
Riddle me this.
One of the most ancient forms of right-brain workouts is still one of the best. A good riddle helps you think around corners and see connections you didn't see before. Even if you aren't good at figuring them out, you still can learn a lot. After you get the answer, try and create your own riddle using the same techniques. Then quiz your spouse and children to see if they can figure it out.
Here are two riddles to get you started (the answers are at the end of this article).
Riddle 1: What occurs once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in an hour?
Riddle 2: What can speak every language in the world?
The Logical Left
The left side of the brain is where order is restored. It's rational, analytical, and objective. You've probably played quite a few games that use this part of your mind. But here are a few you can play with your children that actually can build up your right-brain abilities:
Connect them all.
Numeric games of connection are excellent for right-brain development. The classic game Connect FourŪ helps develop both strategy and sequential pattern recognition. Also, games such as sudoku use simple number puzzles that help build logic and numeric connections that go beyond ordinary math.
Get puzzled.
Traditional puzzles are all about left-brain development. Taking the small parts and connecting them to form a whole is almost completely left-brained. New 3-D puzzles further enhance this. Other puzzle games such as Rubik'sŪ Cube work just as well, and are ideal for any age.
Riddle 1 Answer: the letter "m"
Riddle 2 Answer: an echo
