Are you using your right brain?

You can help decrease the stress in your life by learning to be a "whole brain" thinker.

By Bonnie Laudick

In 1981, neurosurgeon Roger Sperry won the Nobel Prize for his proof of the split-brain theory, which says that our problem-solving skills, physical and mental abilities, and even personality traits are strongly influenced by our habit of using one side of the brain more than the other.

Left versus right

The brain's left hemisphere, which controls the right side of the body, is analytical, sequential, verbal, objective and logical. It deals with language, interpretation, categorization, cause and effect relationships, writing, science and math. This "masculine" side of the brain is assertive, aggressive and authoritative.

There is also a high correlation between being classified as a left brain and a Type A individual. This increases the likelihood of experiencing a high stress level.

The right hemisphere of the brain, which controls the left half of the body, is visual, intuitive, playful, subjective, emotional, timeless and spontaneous. It deals with humor, imagery, physical activity, art, music and dance. This "feminine" side of the brain is emotional, passive, creative and holistic. Right-brain individuals are calmer and less stressed, with a tendency toward classification as Type B personalities.

Decreasing stress

The left hemisphere is usually the dominant hemisphere. One can, however, learn to be a "whole-brain" thinker — switching from left to right as the task and situation warrant. The following exercises can be helpful in learning to utilize your brain's right hemisphere. These techniques can also help you to become more creative while decreasing stress in your life.

• Experience your experiences. If you must analyze situations, do it later.

• Cultivate your hunches. Begin with safe ones (What color is the next car around the corner going to be?) and work up to more important decisions.

• Incorporate sketches into your note-taking. Illustrate what you are thinking and hearing.

• Keep a dream journal. Investigate the symbols and images that are personal to you.

• Think in pictures. Visualize things in your mind's eye.

• Read poetry and make up rhymes.

• Listen to music.

• Use metaphors and double entendres.

• Go without a wristwatch.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 15 November/December 1986

• Participate in crafts, art, dance and physical activities.

• Learn to relax by means of meditation.

• Dishabituate once in a while from the verbal-analytical mode of thinking. Forget philosophy for an evening and go to the symphony.

• Associate more with emotional, intuitive people.

The ability to utilize whole-brain thinking develops a synergestic relationship which increases creativity and learning ability. In addition, physical and mental health are enhanced by learning to control and use the brain's capabilities.

Whole-brain thinking may best be exemplified by "a thought for every feeling and a feeling for every thought."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Bonnie Laudick, M.S., C.T.R.S., is director of activity therapy at Riveredge Hospital in Forest Park, IL.

National organization launches program to eliminate abuses in youth sports Editor's Note: The following information is printed with the permission of the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA). The lessons young people leam from sports are often remembered the rest of their lives. That is why volunteer coaches and youth administrators have a responsibility to the kids with whom they work, according to Curt Gowdy, national spokesman of the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) and chairman of the "Making Youth Sports Fun For Kids" program. "The irony of youth sports today," Gowdy said, "is that while many psychologists, reporters and educators denounce organized youth sports, millions of parents still encourage their offspring to participate " Sports participation According to Fred Engh, founder and president of NYSCA, "Even though the elementary school-age population is decreasing, overall organized youth league programs have increased to nearly 20 million participants throughout America. "That indicates that youth league sports are here to stay, but those who criticize youth sports make some good points, too. Although problems exist in a number of areas, the statement that 'no program is better than its leader ' can best summarize the problem in youth league sports." In nine out of ten cases, the leader is a parent of one of the team players. "In most cases," Engh said, "the parent probably has never been told that his or her responsibility extends beyond ensuring that the team wins the championship. Perhaps more importantly, that responsibility includes the development of the value systems of the young people being coached, and it is just as important for parents and coaches to remember that youth sports should be a fun experience. "No parent would let a 10-year-old take swimming lessons from a person who is not qualified to teach," Engh said. "Well, what about the young people who suffer emotionally, psychologically and sometimes physical abuse because the youth coach was never told he had responsibilities in these areas?" Volunteer responsibilities Engh believes the coaches' volunteer status does not exempt them from these responsibilities. To fill this training gap the NYSCA, a non-profit organization formed in 1981, offers a basic certification program. Illinois' efforts Throughout the coming year the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), in cooperation with NYSCA, will be sponsoring special clinician training seminars. The purpose of these seminars is to train agency staff on how to implement the NYSCA program in their community. In addition to the training program, agencies will receive $2,000 of video training programs which are provided to each agency by a commercial sponsor, free of charge. The fee per coach is $15 and includes the following: NYSCA certified coaches patch, first aid emergency tips card, NYSCA membership card, bimonthly newsletter and $300,000 liability insurance with certificate of insurance. "The feedback we've received from leagues that have implemented the NYSCA certification indicated that by clearly stating minimum standards for volunteer coaches, the vast majority willingly comply," Engh said. "More importantly, the youngsters benefit almost immediately from the more positive experience youth sports was intended to achieve in the first place." NYSCA doesn't stop at educating and certifying volunteer coaches. It has also created special programs to offer comprehensive guidelines for parents, youth league administrators and game officials who are involved in community youth sport programs. Certification of an NYSCA volunteer does not denote qualification to coach, per se, but more so indicates a basic awareness of the very important role that each volunteer has on the psychological well-being, safety and the need for basic sports instruction of each child in his (or her) care. For more information about the NYSCA program in Illinois, contact either the IPRA office or your NYSCA coordinator.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 16 November/December 1986