Have you ever noticed that certain people around you seem to be better than those in their circle because they have certain habits that will make them smarter?
You might even be wishing to be as bright as they are.
Whether you want to improve your career or relationship with people, acquire a new skill, or become better in certain aspects of your life, becoming more intelligent is to be more innovative.
Getting smarter or becoming intelligent doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, it’s a dynamic quality you can cultivate and enhance over time.
If you’re ready to learn new skills, adapt to flexibility, and cultivate a new lifestyle, then welcome to your journey of becoming smarter.
To sharpen your cognitive abilities, expand your knowledge, and boost your brainpower, you need only incorporate specific habits into your daily routine.
Here are some effective habits that will make you smarter.
10 Habits That Will Make You Smarter
1. Read Regularly
Reading is one of the most powerful ways to stimulate your mind and broaden your horizons.
It exposes you to new ideas, perspectives, and knowledge, allowing you to see the world beyond your current environment.
Enlarge your abilities by reading material, including fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, and scientific journals.
It doesn’t matter if this field isn’t something you’re familiar with because reading about new genres makes you learn about fields of study you’re unfamiliar with.
Dedicate a specific time each day for reading, even if it’s just 20-30 minutes.
Additionally, you can consider joining a book club or discussing books with friends to deepen your understanding and gain different viewpoints.
Explore various methods; it could be an e-book, a copy from a library, or an audiobook.
Reading helps you learn new information, unlearn something, and even grow your vocabulary.
2. Learn Something New Every Day
Learning doesn’t stop when you stop being a student because, in the real sense, we are all students of life, and this means we need to continually top up our learning game.
Luckily, knowledge is endlessly available for everyone online. Sometimes, it’s free, and other times, it’s affordable.
You can try learning a new skill on websites like Udemy, Coursera, SkillShare, and many others.
Imagine how smarter you’ll be if you spend every 30-40 minutes daily to learn about something new.
Continuous learning keeps your brain engaged and challenged. Make it a habit to:
- Learn a new word each day and try to use it in conversation.
- Pick up a new hobby or skill, such as playing an instrument, cooking a new recipe, or learning a new language.
- Use educational apps or websites to explore topics you’re curious about.
3. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindfulness and meditation are two habits that can make you smarter. These skills can improve focus, concentration, and emotional regulation.
These practices help clear your mind and enhance your cognitive functions.
Meditation is a powerful tool that will help your brain function and increase your level of emotional intelligence.
It also helps you de-clutter your brain and give you space to learn more.
Spend a few minutes each day in meditation or mindfulness exercises. Also, write down the preceding ideas or thoughts that are pruned when you’re meditating or after meditation.
Focus on your breathing and bring your attention back whenever your mind wanders.
You can also engage in yoga to help you articulate and put your thought process and ideas in order.
4. Exercise Regularly
Studies have shown that there is a shared connection between physical exercise and the function of the brain.
Physical exercise is not only good for your body but also your brain. Regular exercise increases blood flow to the brain and promotes the growth of new brain cells. Incorporate exercise into your routine by:
Most days of the week, engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking, jogging, or cycling.
Trying activities that require coordination and concentration, like dancing or martial arts, helps you incorporate strength training and flexibility for your overall physical health.
5. Stay Socially Active
Social interaction stimulates your brain and can help prevent cognitive decline. To stay socially active, spend time with friends and family regularly.
Don’t just keep friends who are not as smart as you are; rather, surround yourself with people who will help you improve your IQ daily.
When you spend time with smart people, it makes you smart as well by exposing you to their opinions, thus helping you diversify your learning experience.
You can also join clubs, groups, or organizations that interest you; by doing this, you’ll engage in meaningful and engaging conversation,
Engage in meaningful conversations and debates to challenge your thinking and expand your perspectives.
Remember that you’re the average of the five closet people you hang out with.
6. Get Enough Sleep
Adequate sleep is crucial for cognitive function, memory consolidation, and overall brain health. Improve your sleep habits by.
To get the rest you need for a smarter lifestyle, start by aiming for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
To accomplish this goal, I will establish a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
Also, create a relaxing bedtime routine and avoid screens before bed, as this will give quality rest time.
Studies have shown that excessive Smartphone use is detrimental to cognitive performance.
7. Eat a Brain-Healthy Diet
Your diet plays a significant role in brain health.
Consuming nutrient-rich foods can boost cognitive function and protect against cognitive decline. Focus on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
8. Challenge Your Brain
Mental challenges keep your brain sharp and improve problem-solving skills. You can engage in solving puzzles, crosswords, or Sudoku.
Engaging in activities that require critical thinking, such as coding or learning new software, makes you smarter because your brain is at work most of the time.
You can also participate in random new activities that will help you subsequently.
To be prepared for the opportunities reserved for highly intelligent and smart people, start by learning about new things, engaging in random intelligent activities, and, most importantly, challenging your brain.
9. Teach Others
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it enough”- Albert Einstein.
Teaching what you’ve learned to others can reinforce your knowledge and deepen your understanding.
One way to gauge your level of intelligence or being smart is to teach it to others. By doing this, the knowledge is retained in your brain to some extent.
For everything that you learn, try to explain it to others.
It’s not just about learning a new thing or being informed about particular information, being able to retain that information and in turn teach others is far more valuable.
10. Reflect On What You’ve Learned
Inculcating habits that make you smarter is not just about acquiring new experience and knowledge; it’s also about being able to use every piece of information and skill that you’ve gathered.
When we think of someone in life whose smartness we aspire to be, it might be someone who is quick to solve problems, offer solutions, or get a project done faster than anybody else in the room.
This type of intelligence comes from reflection. By reflecting on your day-to-day activities and self-evaluating, you can identify patterns and start seeing the world through the lenses of patterns and change.
So, after learning and gaining new skills, practice everything you’ve learned by doing a daily self-reflection.
Wrapping Up
Acquiring and practicing new habits might not always be easy.
You may need external support, a lifestyle change, routine, or even ideology.
However, it is not impossible because becoming smart is a continuous process every human shouldn’t give up on.
Being intelligent means exploring new things and solving problems as they arise.
Constantly invest in habits that will make you smarter, be proud, and celebrate your progress.
By doing this, you’ll gradually become professionally and personally smarter.
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