Exercising not only holds the key to developing discipline and great abs, but also improves your brainpower through bilateral thinking.
Yes, physical exercise is not just about building muscles or burning calories, it is a fundamental component of brain health and your ability to think.
My guy Bredos put me onto this, he has a podcast called the Bredos Kuelian Show which is a good source of info for guys who are about "levelling up". Check it out.
Anyway, one of the key ways that bilateral stimulation can improve men's lives is by promoting the growth of new neural connections in the brain. You create new connections when you learn and become better at things. This process, known as neuroplasticity, is essential for learning and memory, and it can help men think more clearly and creatively.
Ever wonder where unprocessed memories lurk? Me neither, but let's get into.
They hang out in the emotional part of the right side of your brain. When we do activities that synchronize both sides of the brain—like hitting the gym, dancing, or yoga (to name a few things)—you're not just working on your fitness; you're stimulating the growth of new neural connections.
This shift helps relocate those festering memories to the logical left side, paving the way for moments of insight and improved reasoning as you engage both sides of the brain.
Anxiety and stress are 2 of the biggest mental health issues in society at the moment. Bilateral activities that typically involve help to reduce the activity in the amygdala, which is the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions like fear and anxiety.
In a world grappling with chronic mental illnesses that rule weak people, bilateral activities can go a long way to improving people lives. These activities play a role in calming the amygdala, the emotional powerhouse of your brain responsible for processing fears and anxieties.
I've always done my best thinking whilst I was in the gym training and I believe this is the reason why.
I've found major benefits in terms of increased creativity and problem-solving skills through the power of bilateral stimulation.
2 sides of the brain are better than 1, and i'll prove it. I've listed some recent business ideas I've been pondering below.
I watched a fearmongery documentary about plastic recently and have been using the magic of both the left and right hemispheres of the brain simultaneously to solve the plastic crisis.
- Plastic Coffins: coffins made out of recycled plastic, because there are only 2 ways to get rid of plastic, burn it or bury it.
- High-end Plastic Candles: candles made out of recycled plastic, because there are only 2 ways to get rid of plastic, burn it or bury it.
- Plastic Bottle Boats: boats made entirely from plastic bottles to showcase the potential of reusing materials and raise awareness of the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean.
- Plastic flower arrangements: because why settle for real flowers that wilt and die when you can have beautiful plastic flowers that will last forever?
As you can see when you engage in bilateral stimulation, you are essentially training your brain to be an efficient, effective ideas machine.
In all seriousness, it has had profound effects on my mental and emotional health. If I don't workout in the morning, my ability to do everything suffers. I feel less focused, less creative, and slightly more anxious in daily life. Then I read about this bilateral brain theory, and it made sense.
Actionable steps to benefit from this phenomenon are below.
Step 1: First things first, incorporate bilateral exercises into your weight training routine. These are exercises that engage both sides of your body simultaneously, such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses, and standing shoulder presses. By performing these compound movements, you activate both hemispheres of your brain, stimulating bi-lateral thinking and enhancing your overall cognitive function.
Step 2: To fully benefit from bi-lateral stimulation, it's crucial to prioritise proper form and technique. Maintain a balanced stance, ensure symmetrical movement, and engage your mind-muscle connection throughout each rep. By paying attention to your body's alignment and executing exercises with precision, you maximise the bi-lateral stimulation and promote optimal brain-body coordination.
Step 3: While bilateral exercises are great, don't neglect unilateral variations. Unilateral exercises, such as single-arm dumbbell rows, single-leg lunges, or single-arm overhead presses, provide a unique challenge to your brain. They require greater stability and coordination, stimulating bi-lateral thinking even further. By including unilateral movements in your training, you expand your brain's capacity for adaptability and enhance your overall neural connectivity.
Step 4: To take your bi-lateral stimulation to the next level, incorporate cross-patterning techniques into your weight training sessions. Cross-patterning involves performing movements that cross the midline of your body, activating connections between your brain's hemispheres. Examples include exercises like cross-body cable chops, Russian twists, or woodchoppers. By engaging in these cross-patterning movements, you enhance neural communication and foster greater creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Step 5: To continue reaping the benefits of bi-lateral stimulation, it's crucial to embrace variation and progression in your training. Gradually increase the complexity of exercises, try new movement patterns, and challenge your brain with different combinations. Incorporate supersets, circuits, or functional movements that require coordination and agility. It's the same logic to progressive overload. By consistently pushing your limits and introducing new challenges, you unlock new levels of cognitive enhancement.
Remember, fitness is not just about building a strong body but also about unlocking the full potential of your mind. The mind and body work in unison, they're a team.
There's certain problems that you just can't solve statically sitting at a desk journalling. Add some repetitive movement that allows you to get into a flow state like running, swimming, or even walking. Suddenly, the solution hits you. This is a tip for the over-thinkers, sometimes you need to get out of your head and get into your body to solve a thinking problem.
PS. Trying to solve a thinking problem with more thinking is like trying to sniff your way out of a cocaine addiction. I heard this on a podcast ages ago, can't remember which one but it always stuck with me.
Always remember, you were born to be the anti-hero of your story.
Free your outlaw.