Being able to use both hands equally well is known as being ambidextrous. Approximately 1% of the population is naturally ambidextrous, while many more people train themselves to become ambidextrous to some degree. Being ambidextrous provides some interesting advantages, but also has some downsides. This article will explore what it means to be ambidextrous, the benefits it provides, the challenges it presents, and how you can train yourself to become more ambidextrous.
What Does It Mean to Be Ambidextrous?
Ambidexterity refers to the ability to use both the left and right hand equally well for tasks that require fine motor skills like writing, drawing, or throwing a ball. A truly ambidextrous person can switch back and forth between hands for these activities seamlessly, without any difference in proficiency or speed between the hands.
Most people have a dominant hand that they favor for precision tasks. For right-handed people, the left hand is non-dominant, and vice versa for lefties. The non-dominant hand typically has less dexterity and strength for fine motor control. Ambidexterity means having no strong preference for either hand.
Not many people are naturally full ambidextrous, but it is possible to train both hands to become more equally skilled. Many people become cross-dominant, meaning they favor one hand for certain tasks like writing, while the other hand is stronger for other activities like sports or eating.
Signs of Ambidexterity
Here are some signs that a person may be ambidextrous:
– They switch hands frequently while performing tasks like writing, brushing teeth, using tools, etc.
– They report not having a distinct dominant hand.
– They demonstrate similar dexterity performing fine motor tasks like drawing, writing, or threading a needle with either hand.
– They can switch the hand they use for activities like using a computer mouse, cutting with scissors, or throwing a ball without difficulty.
– They play sports and other activities equally well with either hand.
– They struggle to identify a dominant eye and often switch which eye they favor.
– As a child learning to write, they did not develop a strong hand preference.
– Family history of ambidexterity.
If you notice several of these signs, there is a good chance you may be naturally ambidextrous.
Benefits of Being Ambidextrous
What are the advantages of being able to use both hands equally well? Here are some of the benefits that ambidextrous people enjoy:
Greater Brain Connectivity
Research shows that ambidextrous people have increased connectivity between the left and right brain hemispheres. This is linked to enhanced creativity and problem-solving abilities. Ambidexterity may help strengthen connections between the logical left brain and creative right brain.
Multitasking
Being able to use both hands makes it easier to multitask and perform multiple actions at once. Ambidextrous people can conveniently perform a task with one hand while simultaneously doing something else with the other.
Less Hand Fatigue
Dominant hand overload and fatigue is common for one-handed people. Ambidexterity allows switching back and forth between hands to give each one a rest. This helps reduce hand cramps and fatigue.
Injury Recovery
If one hand becomes injured, an ambidextrous person can still function using the other hand. This allows them to adapt more easily if they break a wrist or finger that impairs their dominant hand.
Wider Range of Sports
Ambidexterity is a huge advantage in many sports. In tennis, boxing, lacrosse, baseball and more, the ability to switch stance or use either hand equally well gives ambidextrous athletes an edge. This versatility makes them less predictable.
Easier Adaptation to Left-Handed Tools
Left-handed adapted items like scissors, notebooks, or musical instruments are no problem for an ambidextrous person. They can easily use tools designed for either hand orientation.
Enhanced Dexterity and Coordination
Having proficient fine motor control with both hands naturally boosts overall hand-eye coordination. Juggling, catching balls, and other activities requiring dexterity become easier.
Challenges of Being Ambidextrous
Despite its advantages, ambidexterity also comes with some difficulties:
Handwriting Challenges
Ambidextrous people often have messy, inconsistent handwriting. Since they switch hands frequently, their writing style is less developed compared to righties and lefties who stick with one hand.
Perceived as Cheating
In sports like golf or baseball, occasionally switching between left and right can be viewed as cheating or gaining an unfair advantage. Rules sometimes limit ambidextrous players.
No Left-Right Dominance
Not having a dominant hand side can make it harder to develop left-right directionality skills and distinguish left from right automatically. Ambidextrous people have to consciously think about left vs. right.
Difficulty with Handed Tools
While ambidexterity makes adaptation to left-handed tools easier, tools designed for one specific hand orientation may still feel unnatural at first. There is often an adjustment period to using handed tools.
Paying for Two of Some Products
Items like sports gloves and musical instruments that come in right and left-handed models need to be purchased twice so ambidextrous folks have one for each hand.
Acceleration of Hand Conditions
Some research indicates increased risk for conditions like osteoarthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome since ambidextrous people overuse both hands instead of favoring just one. However, more research is needed in this area.
How to Become More Ambidextrous
Very few people are fully, naturally ambidextrous. But it is possible to train your non-dominant hand through practice to become more functional. Here are some tips:
Try Everyday Tasks
Start small by brushing your teeth, using eating utensils, or stirring a pot with your non-dominant hand. Focus on building coordination through daily activities.
Adjust Your Environment
Set up your space to encourage non-dominant hand use. Place the computer mouse on the left or right side to match your hand. Keep scissors and other tools within easy reach.
Take on New Hobbies
Take up hobbies like painting, playing a musical instrument, golf, or martial arts that involve precise hand motions. Use your non-dominant hand exclusively to develop new neural pathways.
Write and Draw
Practice handwriting, doodling, or drawing shapes every day with your less coordinated hand. Writing letters and words is one of the hardest ambidexterity skills to master.
Mirror Dominant Hand Motions
Pay attention to how your dominant hand performs movements for brushing, writing, throwing, etc. Consciously try to mirror those motions with the opposite hand.
Avoid Over-focusing
Don’t become frustrated trying too hard to force your non-dominant hand to be perfect. Relax and let coordination improve gradually through regular, short practice sessions.
Play Sports
Playing sports like tennis, baseball, hockey, or lacrosse where handedness matters will encourage your brain and muscles to adapt. Use your non-dominant hand exclusively during solo practice.
With regular training, you can teach your non-dominant hand new skills and become more ambidextrous over time. Consistency is key.
Success Stories
Many greats throughout history are said to have been ambidextrous, able to adeptly use both hands for their renowned talents.
Leonardo da Vinci
The iconic Renaissance artist and inventor was famous for his ability to write forward and backward with both hands, allowing him to switch directions without smudging the ink. He could work on two artworks simultaneously by painting with one hand while drawing with the other.
Ben Franklin
The Founding Father taught himself to become ambidextrous as a teenager to keep his writing skills strong. He wrote with his left hand while his right hand rested and switched when fatigued.
Charlie Chaplin
The legendary silent film star was naturally left-handed but learned to be somewhat ambidextrous to have more control while acting. He could wield a cane with either hand on camera.
Babe Ruth
Regarded as one of the greatest baseball players ever, Babe Ruth batted and threw right-handed but was a natural lefty. His cross-dominant abilities gave him an advantage hitting lefty and pitching righty.
Albert Einstein
The Nobel Prize-winning physicist was left-handed but was forced to learn right-handed writing in school. This made him mixed-handed and helped him visualize physics concepts from multiple perspectives.
Ambidexterity Research
Scientific studies provide interesting insights about ambidexterity:
| Study | Findings |
|---|---|
| Reiss et al. (2014) | Ambidextrous 7-10 year olds performed better on visual-spatial and arithmetic tasks compared to right or left-handers. |
| Janssen & Deković (2012) | No handedness preference at age 4 predicted better executive function and abstract problem solving ability in adolescents. |
| Cherbuin & Brinkman (2006) | Ambidextrous and left-handed elders had poorer memory recall compared to right-handers. |
Key takeaways from studies:
– Ambidexterity may enhance visual-spatial skills, creativity, abstract thinking.
– Being mixed-handed is linked to benefits in childhood cognitive development.
– However, ambidexterity in older age could correlate with poorer memory. More research is needed.
Conclusion
Ambidexterity is an intriguing ability that provides some cognitive, physical, and practical benefits due to increased communication between brain hemispheres and bilateral hand coordination. However, it also comes with challenges like handwriting difficulties and left-right confusion.
Very few people are fully, naturally ambidextrous, but it is possible to train your non-dominant hand to become more functional through regular practice of everyday tasks and skills requiring dexterity like writing, sports, and arts. With patience and consistency using the tips outlined, you can teach your brain and hands to become more ambidextrous over time if desired.