It is common to think and believe that intelligence is something you are born with because some people out there make being smart look so natural and effortless. Intelligence isn’t a set trait but it can be acquired, it is a flexible ability to learn and stimulate improvement of your brain and its functions.
There are a number of methods and activities one can engage in to boost their cognitive abilities and become smarter. With practice and determination, one can expand their mental capabilities and increase their knowledge, learn new skills and sharpen their intellect. Integrating new habits in your daily life will help you discover new ways to engage your mind and grow your intelligence. The list below includes a few such habits or activities that will help you learn more, understand more and improve your brain’s capacity to learn and perform.
Play a musical instrument
Scientific studies suggest that musical training plays a part in changing the structure and functioning of the brain for the better. It is also known to improve memory in the long term and leads to better development of the brain for those who begin such training at a young age. Another such study also reveals that musicians tend to be more mentally alert as compared to non-musicians. Playing a musical instrument is a multifaceted experience; it’s an activity that requires integrating information from the senses along with other movements. Overall, playing a musical instrument especially in a band or with other people engages almost every part of your brain into communicating through music, which further enhances your communication skills.
Read more fiction
If you are someone who isn’t much of a reader but wants to become a smarter individual, go pick that novel you have been intending to read for a while and get started with it. It is believed that individuals who read fiction often are better able to understand other people, empathize with them and understand their perspective better. This happens because people who read a lot of novels become acquainted with getting in the head of multiple characters and understanding the story from an omniscient point of view. Scientific evidence proves that reading fiction improves your emotional intelligence while improving your overall brain functioning. Reading fiction lets readers consider various perspectives, objectives and way of life which further helps improving their empathy.
Drink caffeinated beverages
Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed drugs in the world; it is known to increase the release of dopamine while blocking adenosine receptors. For several years, consumption of caffeine often in the form of tea or coffee has been an accepted and popular means to enhance mental or cognitive functions. Many trials that examined the effects of caffeine on the human brain demonstrate that caffeine can improve mood, memory, vigilance, reaction time and general cognitive function. Consumption of caffeine in a moderate amount has a higher and significant effect on executive functions like better judgement and decision making.
Hand-write everything more often
When you make notes on a computer or any other device, you’re likely to be disturbed by incoming mails or other notifications. The act of hand-writing your notes requires you to stay alert and attentive all the time. It is known that people who write down their notes on a paper tend to learn better, retain information for longer and quickly grasp new things as compared to those who type their notes. When you write notes instead of typing, it makes you slow down and spend more time comprehending whatever you are writing. This extra time spent carefully thinking about each word you pen down helps improve your comprehension.
Play video games
This one is probably the most hard to believe but its proven to be true. Playing action-oriented video games for a minimal duration increases your ability to analyze situations better and enhances your quick decision making ability based on the situation and your perception about it. Video games improve your ability to perceive shapes and colours, but more importantly they increase brain plasticity – the ability of your brain to change its structure in focus, concentration and attention.
