The right brain and left brain are often referred to as "dominant" and "submissive." This is an oversimplification, but it's a useful one. Right brain characteristics tend to skew more emotional than the left, and right-brained people digest information in a more holistic way—that's why it's often called the "creative" side. But there’s more right brain characteristics than you think.
What's the difference between right and left-brained?
The most common right brain characteristics are creativity , intuition, and holistic thinking—they're the ones who can look at a problem from 20 different angles and come up with multiple solutions, all before you've had time to finish reading this sentence.
Left-brained people tend to be more logical in their thinking, detail-oriented, and rational in nature. If right-brainers see the big picture first, then left-brainers like to get into specifics and breaking things down into manageable chunks of information before they can move forward.
The important things to note is that both sides work together —they just function differently depending on what's needed in any given situation. That's why we need both hemispheres working together if we want to be our best selves.
What are 10 characteristics of the right brain?
The most common right brain characteristics are creativity, inspiration and imagination. It's where we find our sense of wonder at the world around us, and it's what allows us to dream up new ideas and exciting projects.
The right brain helps us make connections between seemingly unrelated pieces of information, and see the big picture, rather than focusing on small details. You could describe the right brain as:
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Creative
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Spontaneous
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Free-thinking
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Intuitive
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Emotional
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Holistic
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Musical
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Visual
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Holistic
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Abstract
What are the strengths of a right-brained person?
Right-brained people are creative and original, with a strong sense of curiosity and an ability to see the big picture. They're good at solving problems in innovative ways, as they tend to look beyond what's in front of them. They're also more open-minded than left-brained people, and less concerned about their self-image or how others perceive them.
Right-brained people are also more likely to be empathetic and sensitive. They might seem dreamy or absent-minded at times, but this isn't because they're not paying attention—it's because they're naturally less concerned with details.
Strengths associated with right brain characteristics are:
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Seeing the big picture
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Creative problem-solving
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Analysing things from multiple perspectives
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Being open-minded and non-judgemental
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Connecting with others
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Seeing the funny side of things
What are the weaknesses of a right-brained person?
Right-brained characteristics tend to me less detail-oriented than left-brained characteristics. They may not be as organised, and they can't always focus on one task at a time. They tend to procrastinate more, and they're easily distracted by new ideas or projects. They can also struggle with:
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Having a good sense of direction
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Being organised and practical
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Formulating plans and sticking to them
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Being able to focus on one thing at a time
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Having an eye for detail
How to nourish your right brain
Focus on the present
Try to keep your mind from wandering into either the past or the future. Instead, try to focus on what you are doing right now.
Practice mindfulness
By taking time out of each day to sit quietly, clear your mind, and be mindful , you can help feeling more calm. If you don't have much experience with meditation, there are plenty of apps that can help teach you how it works and get started right away.
Enjoy the arts
Whether it's painting or photography, dancing or singing - whatever floats your boat - getting involved in any sort of artistic activity will allow you to tap into that creative side of your brain which could be lacking due to lots of left-brained thinking (like math homework).
If you want to tap into your right brain, remember that the best way to do so is by nourishing it through activities such as meditation, journaling, drawing or painting—and allowing yourself time each day for leisure and play. This will help you stay balanced and well-rounded, both physically and mentally.
FAQs
On the other hand, the right brain is more visual, intuitive, and creative. So, if you're mostly analytical and methodical in your thinking, the theory suggests you're left-brained. If you tend to be more creative or artistic, you're right-brained.
What is the characteristics of right brain? ›
On the other hand, the right brain is more visual, intuitive, and creative. So, if you're mostly analytical and methodical in your thinking, the theory suggests you're left-brained. If you tend to be more creative or artistic, you're right-brained.
What is the difference between a right brain person and a left brain person? ›
This is why people who are more methodical and logical are believed to be “left-brained.” Meanwhile, the right hemisphere controls creativity, perception, and spatial understanding, and recognizes faces, places, and objects – hence why more creative and emotional people are said to be “right-brained.”
How to tell if you're right brained? ›
Those who are right-brained are supposed to be intuitive and creative free thinkers. They are "qualitative," big-picture thinkers who experience the world in terms that are descriptive or subjective. For example, "The skies are gray and menacing; I wonder if it's going to rain?"
What are the main function of the right brain? ›
The right side of the brain primarily controls spatial abilities, face recognition, visual imagery, music awareness, and artistic skills. It's also linked to creativity, imagination, and intuition.
What is a right-brained person good at? ›
So what are so-called "right-brained people" like? They are often described as being more emotional, intuitive, and creative. They are often described as doing well in careers that involve creative expression and free-thinking, such as becoming an artist, psychologist, or writer.
How to strengthen the right brain? ›
Exercises to Help the Right Brain
- Socially Active. Visiting with family and joining in on social events, getting together with friends, or volunteering your time at a church or hospital are great ways to be social and have physical interactions and conversations. ...
- Visual Arts. ...
- Performing Arts.
What are the weaknesses of a right-brained person? Right-brained characteristics tend to me less detail-oriented than left-brained characteristics. They may not be as organised, and they can't always focus on one task at a time. They tend to procrastinate more, and they're easily distracted by new ideas or projects.
Are geniuses left or right brained? ›
IQ is a measure of global intelligence in the brain and in order to reach certain levels, both sides are needed. It's a myth that high IQ people are not creative and are left-brained. That doesn't mean that they don't necessarily favor one side or the other, but the entire thing is needed to function on that level.
Can a person be both left and right brained? ›
Apart from those unfortunates who have a severe injury or stroke affecting one hemisphere, everyone is both left and right brained.
Upon digging a little bit, I discovered that people who are balanced in their use of both sides of their brain are known to have a Golden Brain. With a “Golden Grain” both sides are equally dominant, and you are perceived as creative, free-spirited, rigid, and logical all at the same time.
What are right-brained habits? ›
Right-brainers don't get lost in details; they naturally visualize the whole picture and love work that requires visionary planning, motivating other people, and thinking outside the box. Right-brained people enjoy trying new ways of doing things and looking at problems from different angles.
What emotions does the right side of the brain control? ›
The neural system for emotions linked to approaching and engaging with the world – like happiness, pride and anger – lives in the left side of the brain, while emotions associated with avoidance – like disgust and fear – are housed in the right.
What percentage of the population is right brain dominant? ›
"More than 160,000 Americans used our brain test. The results showed that 37 percent of Americans are left-brained, while only 29 percent are right-brained. In 34 percent of participants, the two hemispheres exert equal influence on decision-making.
What happens when the right brain is damaged? ›
The right side controls attention, memory, reasoning, and problem solving. RHD may lead to problems with these important thinking skills. A person with RHD may have trouble communicating with others because of this damage. In many cases, the person with RHD is not aware of their problems.
What is left brain weakness? ›
Left hemisphere brain damage can lead to:
Trouble reading and writing. Changes in speech. Deficits in planning, organization, and memory as those skills relate to language. Weakness or lack of movement on the right side of the body.
What are the powers of the right brain? ›
The Unique Abilities of the Right Brain
The right brain plays a crucial role in spatial awareness. It empowers individuals to visualize objects in space, effectively navigate environments, and comprehend complex spatial relationships.
What is the best job for right brain dominant? ›
12 high-paying right-brain dominant careers
- Speaker. ...
- Fashion designer. ...
- Special effects animator. ...
- Research scientist. ...
- Director of operations. ...
- Computer programmer. ...
- Architect. ...
- Psychologist. National average salary: $101,530 per year Primary duties: A psychologist is a mental health professional who works closely with patients.
The right hemisphere controls creativity, spatial ability, artistic, and musical skills.
