Using Your Non-Dominant Hand for Brushing May Help Keep the Brain Sharp

A new report says that doing everyday tasks with the non-dominant hand, such as brushing your teeth, may help stimulate brain regions tied to memory, attention and coordination. The article cites U.S. CDC data showing that about 10% of adults over 45 report cognitive decline or memory loss.

According to Neil K. Shah, a researcher with the U.S. National Institutes of Health, brushing teeth is normally an automatic habit the brain has already mapped. Switching hands forces the brain to build a new strategy and pay closer attention, which activates areas responsible for planning, coordination and concentration.

Shah said repeating unfamiliar actions encourages neuroplasticity, the process by which connections between brain cells strengthen as people adapt to new experiences. He added that using the opposite side of the body engages broader brain networks linked to memory and attention.

The article says this can help build “cognitive reserve,” the brain’s ability to keep functioning despite aging or diseases such as Alzheimer’s. People with higher cognitive reserve may delay dementia symptoms because their brains can better cope with cellular damage. Other inexpensive ways to strengthen the brain include learning new skills, using additional languages, maintaining social ties and exercising.