Dr. Divya Sharma, as part of HSBC’s wellness initiative, lead a session focused on imagery, brain exercises and simple mind hacks to boost productivity. The aim is to improve brain coordination, reduce stress and enhance problem-solving skills using physical and mental exercises.

Brain Hemispheres & Cross-Lateral Activation

Left Hemisphere: logical, analytical, language, mathematics, planning.

Right Hemisphere: creative, intuitive, emotional, visual-spatial awareness.

Each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body, so using cross-body movements activates both simultaneously.

Why It Matters:

Engaging both hemispheres enhances neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to rewire itself), which leads to:

Improved memory and problem-solving

Better multi-tasking and creativity

Greater mental flexibility

Example Exercise:

“5 and 1” hand movement: Left hand shows 5 fingers, right shows 1; then switch.
This builds interhemispheric communication and enhances focus under pressure.

Motor Coordination & Brain Fitness

Motor exercises that seem simple but are cognitively demanding. These include:

Alternating hand gestures

Simultaneous tapping of different body parts

Drawing with both hands at once

Why It Matters:
These exercises increase sensorimotor integration, which means:

Your brain better processes and responds to signals from your body

Helps develop concentration, attention switching and emotional regulation

Scientific Basis:
Using the non-dominant hand activates underused neural circuits. This:

Stimulates brain growth

Prevents neuronal fatigue from repetitive pathways

Can slow cognitive aging and support long-term brain health

Stroop Effect & Attention Control

Stroop Test:
You must name the color of the text, not the word itself (e.g., the word “Green” written in red ink → say “Red”).

Why It Matters:
This test reveals a conflict between automatic processing (reading) and controlled processing (color recognition), which:

Enhances cognitive flexibility

Improves impulse control

Helps the brain switch focus efficiently between tasks

Synchronous Writing and Dual-Hand Exercises

Participants are asked to:

Draw shapes or write words with both hands simultaneously

Try to mirror or create symmetric/asymmetric motions

Why It Matters:
This improves:

Bimanual coordination

Dual-tasking skills (relevant for athletes, musicians, professionals)

Strengthens the corpus callosum, the bridge between the hemispheres

Power of Visualization & Imagery

Mental imagery as a technique for improving physical and mental performance:

Visualizing a task can prime the brain for better execution

Works for sports, music, public speaking, problem-solving and more

Why It Works:
Studies using fMRI scans have shown that visualizing a movement activates nearly the same brain areas as performing the movement. This:

Reinforces neural circuits before actual practice

Reduces mental resistance and performance anxiety

Improves results in complex tasks

Reverse Visualization Technique (Mental Rehearsal)
Unique reverse visualization method:

Imagine your goal is already accomplished

Feel the joy, celebration, and relief

Mentally walk backward from that point to your current moment

Why It Works:

Shifts focus from fear of failure to pathway creation

Helps bypass anxiety triggers

Trains your brain to find creative solutions instead of ruminating on problems

This technique builds emotional resilience, confidence, and clarity about what steps to take next.

Power of Intention & Water Molecule Analogy

Water molecules when exposed to positive thoughts formed beautiful crystals

Molecules exposed to negative thoughts became distorted

Key Insight:
Since the human body is approximately 70% water, our thoughts directly influence our internal state, energy, and potentially even cellular health.

Whether or not the experiment is scientifically validated, other fields like placebo research, epigenetics and psychoneuroimmunology confirm:
Your mindset impacts your health, behavior and even gene expression.

Final Thoughts & Motivation

These are simple, daily exercises that create profound change if practiced regularly

Mental health doesn’t always require expensive tools—just discipline, fun, and body-brain synchronization

This approach combines science, playfulness, and practical mindfulness

Key Takeaways