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Right brain & chronic stress

The left side of the brain plans, analyzes, abstracts, marks time, counts, makes step by step procedures, verbalizes, is linear, logical and sequential. This left hemisphere has been culturally dominant for centuries. Over 90% of people are right handed, which, is controlled by the left hemisphere of the brain.

The right hemisphere of the brain perceives reality in its own way. It is the non-speaking half of the brain and it has its own way of expressing, feeling, telling, and processing information. Think about how our culture is left brain centric. But what about our right brains? How can we nurture it, give it more attention, and why would we want to?

The mode of processing information by the right brain is rapid, complex, whole pattern, spatial, and perceptual. Some studies also suggest that the 2 modes of processing interfere with each other preventing maximal performance.

We know these things based on years of scientific inquiry. More specifically studies done on split brain patients. Patients that have had the surgical procedure done that severs the corpus callosum. The cc’s function is communication across the brain hemisphere’s. When there is no longer communication between hemisphere’s of the brain scientist’s can then isolate their function with specific tests.

Meditating, exercising, drawing, creative writing, some types of reading, painting are all activities that are right brain stimulators. I have, mostly unknowingly, sought the refuge of my right brain throughout my life. Which came from the peace that i derived from turning off the list making, analyzing, time obsessing, culturally manipulated left brain.

I have discovered truths about myself with the practice of right brain activities that would never been possible in other ways. The most significant activity that i discovered and continue to practice is meditation. The calming of my nervous system – to breath, to listen, to experience silence. This practice has transformed my life.

It is clear I am not alone in the world – seriously attached to a state of stress, high motivation and energy. The continual seeking to get somewhere, get something done, the Cortisol rushing through my blood, shallow breathing, raining obsessive thoughts, tensed muscles had all become normal. Being in the moment, slowing down, breathing, being present were all so unnatural at first. Yet i suspected there was something i was missing out on as a result of indescribable experiences i received from certain right brain activities like creative writing and drawing.

I continue to practice breath, listening to silence, watching thoughts without believing them, and unwinding belief systems that don’t serve. I feel lucky to have the awareness that my life’s purpose is found in the opposite of all the things i thought it was.

By: jenniferarmour|May 20, 2010|Categories: all|Tags: nervous system . Right-handedness|