Have you ever marveled at the intellect of others? I know I have. When someone has raw intelligence, we often marvel at it. But is there anything you can do to improve your intelligence?
Intelligence, to some degree is related to things like genetics, history, culture, and educational background. But even if a person is born with every advantage, they may squander the chance to grow their intelligence.
Intelligence, like a garden, must be attended to and cultivated in order to grow. To improve it you will have to work to improve it. Here are 3 tips to increase your intelligence.
Tip 1: Get curious before you learn something.
When you are curious, your brains hippocampus lights up. The hippocampus is the section of the brain that is responsible for memory. Many of us have a hard time memorizing things because we simply aren't interested in the information. If you spend some time getting curious about something before you try to learn, you will boost your brain's ability to memorize things.
Additionally, getting curious releases dopamine. Dopamine is a reward chemical. So if you can get curious, you will get a little boost of pleasure along with a more enjoyable learning experience.
Tip 2: Learn something new.
Regardless of how smart you are, learning something new will improve your intelligence. Often, it is our ability to make associations and connections with other things that helps us memorize, visualize, and comprehend the world around us. If you limit yourself to only a small community of facts and information, your intellect will be limited. Spend some time hunting down new experiences and situations. Try to read something that you normally wouldn't or spend time asking, "What if" questions.
Tip 3: Eat balanced meals, get plenty of rest, drink water, and exercise.
This last tip may seem like it has nothing to do with intellect but it does. If you eat meals that leave you feeling sluggish and foggy headed, than obviously you will have a hard time paying attention to things that matter. Avoid overeating and to many sugary foods. Also, your body needs to burn clean fuel, so stock up on plenty of veggies and drink as much water as you need to be stay hydrated. Doing this will leave you feeling well and ready to learn.
Poor sleeping habits can make it difficult to retain information and process new inputs, so try to get a good night's sleep.
Finally, exercise releases dopamine, and helps with circulation. Your brain needs good circulation to operate at its best. Try to get 30 minutes of moderate to light exercise a day. If you can, go for a walk or play in the yard.