What does it mean to be left-handed?
Being left-handed simply means that you prefer to use your left hand for most daily activities rather than your right hand. Around 10% of the population is left-handed. Being left-handed is genetic and is determined before birth. The left and right hemispheres of the brain control opposite sides of the body – the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and the right hemisphere controls the left side. In left-handers, the right hemisphere is dominant.
While a right-handed person would use their right hand for writing, eating, throwing a ball, brushing teeth and other everyday tasks, a left-handed person would use their left hand. Being left-handed doesn’t just refer to hand preference, but also to foot and eye preference as well.
Why would you want to become left-handed?
Most people are satisfied with their natural handedness and have no desire to change it. However, there are some reasons why you may want to become left-handed:
– Curiosity – some people are simply curious to try using the opposite hand and see if they can become as skilled with it as their natural hand. It can be an interesting challenge.
– Advantage in sports – in certain sports like baseball, boxing, fencing and tennis, being left-handed can provide an advantage since most athletes are right-handed. The different angles and approaches can be confusing.
– Brain benefits – some studies suggest that left-handed people may have an advantage in divergent thinking and creativity. They may also be better at multi-tasking.
– Stand out – being left-handed makes you part of a minority group, which some people enjoy. It can be a fun part of your identity.
– Change in injury – if you suffer an injury that impacts the use of your right hand, you may need to become left-handed out of necessity while recovering.
So while most people are neutral about their handedness, there are definitely some potential benefits or motivations for wanting to become a lefty. It provides a chance to challenge yourself cognitively and physically.
Is it possible to change your natural handedness?
Most experts believe that it is possible to change your handedness, but it takes dedication and effort. Converting from a righty to a lefty or vice versa is known as cross-dominance training. It requires retraining your brain and neuroplasticity – the ability of the brain to form new neural pathways with practice.
The success rates of handedness conversion training programs are debated. However, there are many anecdotes of people successfully switching their natural handedness through repeated practice of everyday tasks. Most agree that it is easier to change handedness at a younger age, as early brain wiring is more malleable.
That said, there are still challenges. Our natural inclination tends to be performing tasks with our dominant hand, so you have to consciously focus on rewiring your brain and building the muscle memory to use the non-dominant hand. Even after successfully converting, you may still favor your old natural hand for certain skilled tasks or under stress. The training often needs to be maintained or the old habits can return.
The challenges of changing handedness
If you are determined to attempt to change your natural handedness, be prepared for some difficulties and obstacles along the way:
– It takes concerted effort and commitment. You have to be diligent in forcing yourself to use the non-dominant hand for all tasks.
– Expect your dexterity and coordination to decline initially with the opposite hand. Things will feel awkward and clumsy. This can be frustrating.
– You may instinctively revert to your original handedness for some tasks, especially complex or stressful ones. It requires vigilance to override that instinct.
– There is no definitive time frame for success. Some people pick it up in a few weeks, for others it may take months or years to feel truly comfortable.
– Your non-dominant hand may never quite match the original ability level of your natural hand for certain tasks requiring finesse.
– Left-handed environments still favor right-handers. You’ll still have to adapt.
– Family and friends may not understand your pursuit and may not be accommodating.
– You may face skepticism that such a change is possible or worthwhile.
Persevering through the struggles requires determination and patience. Having realistic expectations helps, as your non-dominant hand will unlikely ever be equal to the capabilities of the hand nature chose for you. But with concerted practice, most individuals can successfully learn to be functional with the opposite hand.
Training programs to switch handedness
If you want guidance in your quest to change handedness, there are training programs designed specifically for the purpose of hand conversion therapy. The structure and systematic techniques can help establish the new neural pathways and muscle memory. Here are some options:
Hand Switch Success Program
This is an online left and right hand conversion training course developed by Mark Warren, author of “Switch-Handed – Develop Your Non-Dominant Hand”. It uses videos, tutorials and practice exercises to teach ambidexterity. The $27 course takes 2-3 months to complete if followed properly.
Switch Hitter Baseball Training
This baseball-focused training program from Pat Bourque uses specialized equipment to help players enhance performance by training the non-dominant hand in batting, throwing and catching. It builds ambidexterity through sport-specific drills.
Neil Crone Baseball and Softball Camps
These camps feature instruction in switch-hitting, building fundamental baseball skills from former college coaches. They offer hitting tunnels for repeating drills with both sides of the plate.
Academic Center for Enriched Athletes (ACEA)
ACEA offers high-level sports performance training, including improving handedness skills for elite athletes. Programs are individually customized to meet ambidexterity goals for specific sports like golf, hockey and combat.
Investing in a structured switching handedness program can provide the blueprint for successfully making the transition versus trying to retrain your brain on your own. Just be sure to choose a reputable program with proven tactics. Consistent practice is still required.
Everyday activities to practice
In addition to specialized training programs, there are many simple everyday activities that you can start doing with your non-dominant hand to instill new neural pathways in your brain:
– Use your computer mouse
– Brush your teeth
– Eat with utensils
– Drink and carry cups
– Open doors
– Comb your hair
– Stir a pot
– Use tools like scissors or a screwdriver
– Unlock doors with a key
– Brush your pet
– Wash dishes
– Point or gesture when speaking
– Carry heavy objects like groceries
At first these tasks will feel uncoordinated and require great concentration. But with repetition, they will begin to feel more natural. Having patience with mistakes helps. Allow your brain time to establish the new motor skills – don’t revert to your original hand. Doing these daily activities with the opposite hand trains your brain and muscles and builds confidence.
Tips for successfully switching handedness
If you are committed to making the change to left-handedness, here are some useful tips to integrate it into your life:
– Obtain left-handed versions of tools/utensils
– Arrange your environment suitably (configure computer mouse, etc)
– Mark your new dominant hand with a bracelet or ring to remind yourself
– Request accommodation from family, friends, colleagues
– Seek social support groups for the switched-handed
– Join online forums to learn from others’ experiences
– Take notes or keep a journal of the process
– Celebrate small milestones to stay motivated
– Stick to it! Consistency and perseverance are key.
– Stay patient with yourself; re-learning motor skills takes time
Having the proper tools and creating an encouraging environment facilitates the transition. But you have to be mentally resilient, focused and patient with yourself above all. It won’t happen overnight, but with concerted effort, it is possible to retrain your brain and hands.
What is cross-dominance?
Cross-dominance refers to having opposite dominant hands, feet or eyes (like a right-handed person who is left eye dominant). About one-third of the population is cross-dominant. Cross-dominance can cause challenges with coordination for certain activities like sports requiring hand-eye coordination. But it doesn’t necessarily have to impair performance with proper training.
Here are some interesting facts about cross-dominance:
– Cross-dominance is most commonly handedness and eyedness (e.g. right-handed lefty). Hand-foot is more rare.
– Males are more likely to be cross-dominant than females.
– Advantages in cross-dominance are seen in activities like tennis, baseball, hockey, golf, and boxing.
– Challenges arise in precision sports like archery, shooting, bowling where hand-eye coordination are paramount.
– Children may need testing to detect crossed dominance for eye-hand activities.
– Specialized training, equipment or stance adjustments can help counter impairments.
– Famous cross-dominant athletes include Mike Piazza, Duane Kuiper, Mark McGwire, Matt Dillion, and Matt Blois.
So while cross-dominance can present initial coordination problems, it is possible to train your brain and nervous system to excel even with mixed laterality. Proper support helps cross-dominant kids thrive as well.
Conclusion
Switching your natural handedness is an unusual but attainable goal with consistent commitment and practice. It requires retraining your brain pathways and building new muscle memory until the non-dominant hand feels natural for everyday tasks. While challenges exist, personalized training plans, lifestyle adjustments and perseverance can help successfully convert most people to become left-handed. Just be patient, optimistic and give your brain and hands time to forge the new skills. Ambidexterity provides benefits like increased mental flexibility, novel neural connections and unique advantages in sports. With determination and hard work, it is within your ability to overcome your natural handedness.