How to Become Ambidextrous?

What is ambidexterity?

Ambidexterity is the ability to freely use both left and right external parts of your body (e.g. hands), both more or less with the same capabilities.

It's rare to find someone who is naturally ambidextrous, with the odds at every one in one-hundred people.

More often than not, it is more common to find people who were originally left-handed and then to have become ambidextrous. For example: through childhood where they were forced to write with the right hand, jobs where right-handed abilities are emphasised etc.

Right-handed people often become ambidextrous through injuries that limit use of their dominant hand.

Why become ambidextrous?

If you're wanting to achieve something or wanting try something out, there's always going to be a reason behind your choice. That shouldn't be different with the ability of ambidexterity.

I've written some reasons why you should consider it:

1. You break your dominant arm, causing it to be fully incapacitated. Do you want to be unable to write, draw, or whatever else that you need your dominant arm for?

2. With sports, when one arm gets tired, you will be able to switch more easily to the other one.

This can also be used for professional sports: baseball and cricket (to throw the opposition off-guard), for snooker (when the shot is easier to reach with the other hand), tennis where it's better to hit forehand with either hand. 

Some other sports you may want to use ambidexterity for are: golf, basketball, badminton, volley-ball, football/soccer (ambidexterity with your legs), boxing.

3. Some jobs and hobbies are easier when being ambidextrous. For example: sculpting, playing musical instruments etc.

How to become ambidextrous?

Unfortunately, if you're thinking of becoming ambidextrous, it does take time and regular use of you're less-dominant hand.

I've put together a list of different things you can do with your less-dominant hand to become ambidextrous. Note: it may feel weird to do things with your opposite hand in the first couple of weeks or so.

1. I'll start with one of the hardest things to do when wanting to become ambidextrous because of the precision needed. That is Writing. Try to write a paragraph or more a day with your less-dominant hand. Your muscles need development, so practice is the key.

2. Brushing your teeth.

3. Brushing your hair (if you do - I don't normally bother with brushing mine too often) :)

4. Using a computer mouse.

5. Sports.

6. Eating and drinking (maybe you shouldn't do this one in 
public until you've got the hang of it). :)

7. Wearing a watch on your opposite hand.

8. Shaving (be careful when first starting).

9. Cutting your nails (be careful with this as-well).

10. Opening cupboards, draws, and doors.

11. Drawing.

12. Pen-spinning.