Introduction: Why Balance Matters
Most of us know that the brain has two sides, the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. Pop culture sometimes oversimplifies this, calling the left “logical” and the right “emotional.” While that’s only part of the story, there is truth in the idea that each side of the brain brings something different to our inner world and helps us regulate emotions.
When the two hemispheres work together in harmony, we experience balance. We can feel emotions without being overwhelmed by them, and we can think clearly without cutting ourselves off from feeling. This integration is especially important in regulating emotions, whether that’s calming anxiety, moving through sadness, or staying steady in times of stress.
The Specialties of Each Hemisphere
The Left Hemisphere:
The left side of the brain is often described as detail-oriented and structured. It processes language, sequences, and linear thinking. When you’re problem-solving, making a to-do list, or explaining something with words, your left hemisphere is leading the way with focused emotion regulation.
The Right Hemisphere:
The right side is more holistic, intuitive, and attuned to feelings. It processes tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, and the “felt sense” of experiences. It’s the side that allows us to cry when moved by music, sense when someone is upset without them saying a word, or feel deeply connected to nature.
Both are vital. Emotions live in the right hemisphere, but the left gives us tools to make sense of them. Without the left, emotions can feel raw and chaotic. Without the right, emotions can feel flattened, ignored, or cut off from real life.
Why Emotional Regulation Needs Both Sides
Imagine you’ve just had an argument with a friend.
- If you lean too heavily on the right hemisphere, you may feel flooded by hurt, anger, or rejection, unable to calm yourself down. This pattern is particularly challenging for those with ADHD and emotional regulation difficulties.
- If you lean too much on the left hemisphere, you might explain the situation away logically (“It’s not a big deal, arguments happen”) while avoiding the deeper emotional pain, which remains unresolved beneath the surface.
True emotional regulation happens when the two hemispheres connect. The right side notices and feels the emotional wave. The left side helps name it, organise it, and find perspective. This balance is what allows us to feel our feelings without being controlled by them.
How the Hemispheres Communicate
The two hemispheres are linked by a thick bundle of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum. Think of it like a bridge carrying information back and forth.
When the bridge is strong and active, our experiences can move fluidly between emotional and logical processing. When the bridge is underused or “blocked” (as can happen in trauma or high stress), people may feel “stuck” in one mode, either lost in overwhelming emotions or cut off from them.
Therapies that emphasise integration, such as EMDR, mindfulness-based practices, and the Conversational Model of Psychotherapy, often work by re-establishing this cross-talk, helping the left and right hemispheres communicate more smoothly.
Practical Ways to Support Balance
Name Your Feelings
The simple act of putting words to emotions, “I feel sad,” “I feel anxious”, engages the left hemisphere to help regulate right-hemisphere distress. Psychologists sometimes call this “name it to tame it.”
Tune Into the Body
Because the right hemisphere is connected to bodily sensations, practices like mindful breathing, yoga, or even a slow walk can ground emotions and help them flow.
Creative Expression
Music, drawing, dance, or journaling allow right-brain experiences to surface, while structure and reflection (left-brain processes) help weave them into meaning. These creative approaches serve as powerful emotional regulation strategies.
Therapeutic Approaches
Many therapies aim to strengthen left-right integration. For example, EMDR uses eye movements to stimulate both hemispheres, while conversational therapies encourage linking emotional experiences with words and understanding.
Why This Matters in Everyday Life
When our brain hemispheres are balanced and connected:
- We can move through strong emotions without being swept away.
- We can think clearly even when we’re upset.
- We become better at relationships, because we can feel our emotions and explain them to others.
- We recover more quickly from stress and trauma.
In other words, integration doesn’t just help us survive emotions, it helps us grow from them.
Closing Thought
Balancing the left and right hemispheres is not about choosing one over the other. It’s about connection. Our best emotional health comes when we let both sides do their job: one helping us feel deeply, the other helping us make sense of it all. By strengthening this balance, we don’t just regulate emotions, we create a foundation for resilience, growth, and deeper human connection.
If you’re struggling with overwhelming feelings, anxiety, stress, or trauma, professional support can help you integrate your brain’s natural healing processes. Contact us today to discover how therapies like EMDR and the Conversational Model can help you achieve lasting emotional wellbeing.