How smart you are basically will determine how successful you will be. To succeed in business or any other aspect of life, you must have an agile mind that can respond quickly to issues and be skilled at grasping everything that comes your way.
Despite the widespread misconception that intelligence is only accessible to individuals with high IQs, there are several potential ways to increase one’s cognitive ability and improve performance in various academic, professional, and social endeavours.
Anyone may develop their brain capacity and become smarter with good drive and commitment. Your mind may be swiftly sharpened by incorporating new habits into your daily routine and receiving the right stimulus, which will leave you motivated to take on new tasks every day.
But what are some more accessible methods to become smarter in today’s fast-paced world? Adopting a few new behaviours can quickly increase your chances of becoming smarter.
How, then, can one become smarter?
Is it possible to become smarter over time? You can undoubtedly learn more, though. You can develop experience and look for a broader range of experiences. You can also start new habits that can hasten your learning.
You are not born with a certain level of intelligence. Yes, some people may have a natural aptitude for learning new abilities, languages, or skills. You can teach yourself to perform the same, though.
Nevertheless, improving our intellect requires work. Our way of living must be able to foster brain development.
Your capacity to become more innovative is influenced by the foods you eat, your development vs fixed attitude, and how well you take care of yourself. Your decision to adopt minor daily routines can significantly impact your attempts to become more intelligent.
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13 Ways On How To Become Smarter
Numerous tricks and routines might aid people in their quest to become smarter. But remember that what may be effective for one person may not be for another. Try out all of the following behaviours to notice a difference in your IQ.
Here are 13 ways to become smarter:
1. Exercise Daily
Maintaining physical activity is one of the most effective strategies to enhance brain function and become smarter.
A 2018 study found that mild exercise increases the hippocampus’s memory capacity. Additionally, it improves communication between the hippocampus and other brain parts that control memory.
A 2014 research discovered that exercise boosts the hippocampus’s volume. The authors hypothesized that aerobic exercise encourages neuronal development, improving brain structure and function.
Regular exercise is necessary to reap the effects of exercise on the brain. The good news is that you may receive the advantages of exercise without engaging in strenuous activity.
Exercise suggestions for beginners include:
- Hiking
- Yoga
- Walking
2. Get Enough Sleep
For proper cognitive performance, sleep is also crucial. Your brain consolidates the memories it has formed throughout the day while you sleep. Additionally, it improves your brain’s capacity for knowledge acquisition when you first wake up.
Getting enough sleep is crucial since even a little sleep deprivation has a detrimental impact on working memory, according to a 2019 study.
3. Learning A New Language
Your cognitive skills will be exercised, and your ability to multitask will improve your speaking of more than one language. This is due to the concentration, focus, and self-control required while moving between languages.
Indeed, several researchers suggest that bilinguals are brighter than the average person. So if you want to learn how to become smarter, enrolling in a language program at your local community college is a fantastic place to start.
4. Eat Foods Rich In Nutrients
Eating nutritious meals that assist brain function is another strategy to improve your brain health and help you become smarter. This includes meals high in flavonoids, vitamin K, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids
A 2017 research found that omega-3 fatty acids have a significant role in the formation of the brain. Rich sources include:
- Seaweed
- Shellfish
- Flax
- Avocado
- Nuts and Fatty fish
Flavonoids
Plant compounds called flavonoids have positive effects on the nervous system.
A 2015 analysis found that flavonoids are linked to improved cognitive outcomes, such as improved working memory and executive functioning.
Flavonoids are abundantly present in:
- Soybeans
- Grains
- Berries
- Cocoa
Vitamin K
A 2019 review found that vitamin K contributes to the survival of brain cells and cognitive function. It may be found mostly in leafy greens like:
- Spinach
- Kale
- Collards
5. Drink Coffee and Green Tea
According to a 2014 research, drinking coffee can improve attention, which could help you stay focused and be better able to absorb new information.
You’ll grasp new information better if you’re more alert. A cup of caffeinated tea or coffee may give you the boost you need to get your brain operating at peak capacity if you want to become smarter more quickly.
However, it’s preferable to drink coffee in moderation. Excessive caffeine use might make you nervous and anxious.
Green tea can help your brain function as well. Some of these effects are brought on by green tea’s modest quantities of caffeine. Epigallocatechin gallate is another substance found in abundance in green tea (EGCG).
A 2017 review also found that green tea improves working memory and attention. This is most likely caused by the mixture of beneficial ingredients in green tea rather than a single active ingredient.
6. Meditate
The practice of meditation is another way to become smarter.
Meditation was linked to improved executive function and working memory in a previous 2010 study. Observations of these results were made after just four days of meditation.
2019 research discovered comparable outcomes. The participant’s attention, identification skills, and working memory improved after they had finished eight weeks of 13-minute guided meditation sessions. Both the individuals’ stress levels and attitudes improved.
According to the researchers, meditation’s emotional advantages may have contributed to these cognitive results.
There are several ways you can meditate:
- Watch guided meditation videos
- Attend a meditation class
- Use a meditation app
7. Reading
According to research, reading is also another way to become smarter. A 2015 assessment found that reading activates every area of the brain and the neural connections that link them.
This is so because it necessitates several cognitive processes, such as:
- Processing letters visually
- Attention
- Active memory
- Predicting
- Understanding
Another 2013 study found that reading improves the connection of the brain’s comprehension-related areas. This result may linger a few days after reading, indicating long-term advantages.
8. Keeping Learning
You do not have to stop learning if you are no longer a student. Knowledge is readily available online, free, or at a very minimal cost. Consider listening to a podcast on a subject that interests you or watching TED lecture recordings.
A different 2019 study discovered that continued education improves cognitive function and safeguards the brain.
A website like Skillshare or Udemy is another option. If you spend 30 minutes on the weekend learning something new, think how much smarter you’ll become.
9. Cut back on your screen time.
You should start by keeping track of your screen time if you desire to become more intelligent every day. According to studies, excessive smartphone usage has been linked to worse cognitive function. Use an app to restrict your screen usage and receive daily mindfulness reminders.
You may also remove pointless applications from your phone, for example, or make it a regular ritual to put off using it until after breakfast.
10. Socialize with like-minded people
Being sociable can help you stay mentally well since humans are social beings. That’s because, according to 2018 research, socializing stimulates the intellect and cognitive abilities.
You won’t become suddenly smarter by hanging around with clever people. However, it will assist you in developing relationships with individuals who will encourage and inspire you to keep studying. Exposing oneself to fresh viewpoints will offer you more to consider. This is one excellent strategy to become more intelligent.
11. Play an instrument
A fun and original technique to become smarter are to play an instrument. It requires abilities like:
- Physical coordination
- Pattern recognition
- Memory and
- Auditory perception
According to a 2013 review, this tests your sensory and cognitive abilities. Playing an instrument, as a result, might improve your brain’s cognitive and neurological functioning, thereby making you smarter.
If you’re an accomplished musician, learn new songs or genres to push yourself. Remember that it’s never too late to learn if you don’t already play an instrument. You can discover many free how-to videos to get you started online.
12. Write
Like reading, writing promotes vocabulary expansion, grammatical proficiency, and good syntax. Writing improves memory capacity and facilitates more efficient information storage in the brain. According to studies, college students who routinely take handwritten notes during lectures tend to perform better on examinations.
Writing makes people more conscious of their memories, experiences, and inner thoughts, all of which improve overall brain function and make them smarter.
13. Teach and Inform Others
This is another way to become more intelligent. To share knowledge and expertise, seek out colleagues and peers, whether this is done digitally or in person. Inspiration is sparked by new people and novel concepts, which enhances the brain’s learning environment.
Your brain begins constructing a new network for generating and carrying out creative conceptions by forming a network for exchanging ideas.
Conclusion
Keep your strengths in mind as you strive to become smarter. You could merely wish to broaden your intelligence in other areas since you are already intelligent. Whether your goal is to further your profession by picking up a new talent or to master the guitar, you are capable.
Maintain your curiosity and take pride in whatever advancements you make. When you consistently work to nourish your brain, it will manifest in your career and personal life.
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