How cool would it be if we all had an increased IQ level and were able to solve from the most difficult problem to the most challenging riddle? Very much so!

We were raised to think that some people are just born smart and some are not. However, studies show that despite what we think, intelligence is not a fixed quantity, and it’s not solely defined from the moment we are born until early childhood and then remains as it is. The way we approach situations and the things we do to fuel our brains can significantly improve our mental "horsepower."

According to experts, Becoming smarter doesn't necessarily mean a massive commitment of time and energy. So, what can you do to become a little smarter every day?

Here are 9 habits you can easily fit into your daily routine.

Manage Your Online Time

Every time you pick up your phone, check how much time you spend on it. Sure, phones can offer us some kind of entertainment, but think about the time you have already spent scrolling and how many times you fell asleep holding your phone. The Internet has managed to provide us with unlimited access to every kind of information, but as much as your phone keeps you interested, it’s crucial to spend some offline time. Our brain needs some rest after so much exposure to unlimited information, and we need to give it time with more enriching and intellectually stimulating activities. If you feel that you can’t put a limit to yourself, set the limit to your phone, and it will do the job for you.

Take Note Of What You Learn

You don’t have to spend a lot of time writing a whole novel or a scientific article but if you take some minutes every day to write down what you have learned this day, you can give a boost to your brain. Plus, writing down new knowledge of any kind helps absorb it easily. And if you feel like you have so much to say and want to share it with world, ping us at info@workingal.com and test your writing skills with us!

Change The Way You Do Things

Since we are born, we all develop an ability to do things in a specific way. For instance, you probably cook your favorite meal following a particular recipe and stick to it or take the same route every day to work. Why don’t you try a different recipe next time you cook or try an alternative route to work? Changing the way we do things and operate can boost our creativity and, therefore, our brain function. Routines are good and the key to building healthy habits, but it’s crucial to be able to improvise and train ourselves to deal with the unexpected. This way, we can develop not only our creativity but also our problem-solving skills.

Exercise

Even if it seems like it mainly concerns our mental situation, the truth is that exercise can help our brain work better. A study from the International Neuropsychological Society found that aerobic exercise, such as running or swimming, can improve cognitive function, particularly in older adults. This means that even if you don’t directly use your brain while you exercise, your body does it for you! Plus, when you exercise, you build discipline, which can eventually have positive effects on your brain and the healthy habits you create to boost your intelligence.

Show Me Your Friend

Hanging out with people who are smarter than you is one of the fastest ways to learn new things. Smart people have interesting and usually exciting things to talk about. They know how to expand their mind and feed their brain, so spending time with them is good for you on multiple levels. Make sure you surround yourself with more intelligent people, whether you are at work, in service organizations, and socially. You will notice the difference immediately.

Keep Reading

Reading is good on many levels and has only positive effects on your brain and mental health. Whether you read an article, a book, or a scientific paper, make sure that you do it every day. You only need 20-30 minutes daily to read something and feel your brain getting smarter and smarter. Reading may be the top habit that keeps your brain working. Not only will you acquire new knowledge, which you can jot down later, but you will also increase your attention span, which is compromised by social media's constant and fast pace.

Teach Someone

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough," said Albert Einstein. And many experts agree. Learning new things is easy. The ability to retain information and new knowledge is more challenging. When you acquire new knowledge, make sure you write it down and then try to explain it to someone. I still remember the days I was tutoring and how many things I learned and kept in my memory only by explaining them to my students. Transferring new information to others will help you identify whether you have understood this information and whether you have questions about it. This way, your brain will work harder to understand and, therefore, will absorb the new information quickly.

Parlez-vous francais ?

No, you don't need to get a Proficiency or Sorbonne in order to start learning a language that seems exciting to you. Scientific research shows that learning a new language sharpens the mind and helps develop intelligence. Find a language that inspires and interests you, and start learning! Also, according to science, people who speak more than one language have a decreased risk of developing cognitive diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer's, etc.

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep

Sleep is essential for our physical health as well as our mental and brain health. It is necessary for many brain functions, including how nerve cells (neurons) communicate with each other. While we sleep, our brain and body stay remarkably active, and according to recent findings, sleep plays a housekeeping role in removing toxins that build up in our brains while we are awake. Also, while we sleep, the brain transfers information from short-term to long-term memory, which helps us remember new things we've learned. Also, sleep helps regulate emotions by processing and integrating experiences from the day. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep, preferably between 9pm-6am because these are the most productive time for our brain. If you are having trouble sleeping, then try these tips that may help you.