KEEP MAKING THE GRADE

You aren’t born with a fixed amount of intelligence. Regardless of the circumstances you are in when you enter the world, there are ways to train yourself to be smarter. Since intelligence plays a key role in most endeavors, it’s helpful to know there are habits you can adopt that will improve your decision-making ability and creativity. Here are some habits which have been scientifically shown to increase your intelligence:

1. Meditation

The benefits of meditation are proven by several scientific studies. Meditation lets you look within yourself and move through the world with more confidence and integrity. It also is a great stress reliever, and with a regular meditation practice, you become calmer and more focused when dealing with the stresses of your life.

2. Reading

If you want to get smarter, start reading. Reading broadens your perspective by allowing you to look at the world through the eyes of different authors. It allows you to empathize with people whose lives are vastly different from your own. Reading reduces stress and improves your knowledge on different subjects. Whether it’s learning how to code or acing an interview, there’s a book for it.

3. Take up an Outdoor Sport

Playing a sport, whether it’s tennis, basketball, or squash, gives you a rigorous workout. Playing regularly stimulates your brain and rewires neural pathways as you learn different skills and techniques. Sports teaches you how to deal with pressure and work with a team.

4. Maintaining a Journal

Writing is a profoundly cathartic process, and it also improves your intelligence. Writing lets you take a deeper look at your own thought process and how you deal with feelings and problems. It stimulates the areas of the brain responsible for creativity, imagination, and focus. There are several free platforms and apps online to help you get started with a website or blog.

5. Traveling

Traveling is a great way to broaden your perspective. By getting out of your comfort zone, you reassess what’s really important in your life. Frequent travel gives you an appreciation for different ways of life and offers the opportunity to meet new people, try different cuisines and have different experiences. You come back from your travels inspired and ready to implement new ideas you thought of while you were away.

6. Cooking

Cooking is a skill everyone should learn. You never know when you might need to fix yourself a meal. In addition, cooking requires you learn how to multitask. You’re usually juggling a couple of different elements while preparing a meal. As you keep cooking, you’ll learn the art of experimentation. Your palate becomes more educated, and you channel your creativity to create lipsmacking meals for yourself and your loved ones.

7. Exercise

Exercise offers several physical and mental benefits. Regular exercise relieves stress and improves the quality of sleep. Studies show that neurogenesis occurs when you exercise regularly.

9. Playing an Instrument

Scientists at the Stanford University of California discovered that music enhances your ability to learn and memorize information. Playing an instrument stimulates areas of your brain that may not otherwise see much activity during your day-to-day life. Learning to play an instrument also teaches you the power of persistence. You learn to be patient while dealing with problems.

8. Learning a Language

Learning a new language involves analysis of complex grammatical structures and pronunciation. According to research published in the Annals of Neurology journal, taking up a new language, even during adulthood, can stave off the onset of dementia by several years. Studies performed by Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner show that people with high linguistic and verbal intelligence are better at problem-solving and decision making.

If you want to enhance your overall quality of life, take up some of these habits. Being smarter and developing different areas of your brain enhances all your pursuits. You can unwind with some fun hobbies after work and improve your intelligence in the process. It’s a total win/win.

Brain games are teasers, puzzles, and logistic tests you do just for fun. However, the digital puzzles and video games you find online or on your smart phone aren’t just time wasters—they can be a constructive form of entertainment. Whether you do one occasionally or spend a lot of time trying to beat your best score, here are ways brain teasers and games can help you.

1. They Can Improve Fluid Intelligence

Playing progressive memory-type games improves your short-term memory, which has been shown to boost intelligence. Research by Susanne Jaeggi at the University of Michigan found memory games can be a form of cognitive training. Playing a sequence of games that involved remembering