Collecting lunch.
If You Do These 20 Things Every Day, You’ll Become
Smarter
Jayson Demers
Although many people believe intelligence is limited to
those with high I.Q.s,
there are a number
of potential methods to boost one’s cognitive abilities
and become more effective at various professional and
personal pursuits.
With enough motivation and determination, anyone can
expand their mental capabilities
and become smarter. Integrating new habits into your
regular routine and providing
proper stimulation can sharpen your intellect quickly and
leave you inspired
to take on new challenges each day. Brain health is an
important key in complete physical health. The list below includes the best
brain-engaging activities in daily life.
Inviting Novelty
To create new neural pathways and strengthen the brain,
it’s critical for people to continually incorporate new experiences and
information into their lives. At first, these moments
might feel useless, but eventually, you will find
yourself looking forward to quiet moments alone
Visit New Places
Whether this means studying in a new coffee shop, taking
a different route to work,
or traveling to a different country, displacement is good
for the brain. This might be difficult
to recognize in
the moment since it usually feels rather awkward – at least initially.
At the coffee
shop, you can’t order the “usual.”
You have to study a new menu, pick something you have
never tried before, and make a decision.
While this seems simple, people enjoy the comfort of
habit. We like to know what to expect
at all times. When you travel to a new country, the
language is strange, the customs are unfamiliar, and the culture presents a
strange new rhythm of life. Adjusting to these new elements
forces the brain to tackle new, unexpected challenges.
Learning how to communicate through
a language barrier
forces the brain to develop creative ways to express needs and emotions.
Listening to new music, trying new foods, and navigating foreign streets
all work to challenge your brain’s capacity to adapt to
new situations.
Continue Your
Education
Adult education is one of the best investments of time,
money, and energy you can make.
While education is valuable throughout childhood and
adolescence, adults often underestimate their ability to learn new concepts and
skills. Challenge yourself to take a class, academic or creative. Voluntarily
choosing to continue education provides a perfect opportunity for your brain
to create new connections and build higher intelligence.
Read and Watch the
News
This is one activity that maintains the appearance of
habit while nurturing healthy brain waves. Setting aside half an hour every
morning or evening to read a newspaper or watch the news
will help your brain stay active. Digesting new
information is a good daily habit. The news introduces interesting topics to
consider, and will leave your brain churning with new information.
Read Books
Reading is the most basic way to facilitate brain
activity, but it often presents some
of the most diverse opportunities for stretching brain
capacity. Reading provides practical assistance by introducing new vocabulary,
presenting examples of proper grammar usage, and showing
the elegance of a well-written sentence. However, this is
only half of the magic of reading.
Whether you choose fiction, non-fiction, historical
literature, or poetry, reading offers
an opportunity for the reader to make big-picture
connections between the literature and real life. In this way, reading is an
alternative way to make your brain travel to a new place.
As your imagination works to create tangible people,
places, and experiences from the words
on the page, your brain is rewiring to understand all the
new information.
Approach Work in
New Ways
The workplace is a canvas for new experiences. Regardless
of what type of job you might hold, everyone is at one time or another
presented with opportunities to think outside the box,
problem solve in a creative way, and contribute fresh
ideas to the team.
Instead of stressing over each new problem, it’s
important to relax
and starting imagining alternatives for reaching an end
goal.
Challenging
Yourself
Like a weightlifter who develops muscles, one must
exercise the brain on a daily basis,
pushing it just beyond its current capabilities. As
Albert Einstein once said, “One should not pursue goals that are easily
achieved. One must develop an instinct for what one can just barely achieve
through one’s greatest efforts.”
This quote encapsulates what I believe about the brain.
With enough focus and stretching,
the brain can truly surprise people. Underestimating
yourself holds you back from success. When people begin believing in their
abilities, they often go beyond what they thought was possible.
Brain Train
Organizations like Lumosity offer fantastic
daily brain training. With puzzles and games designed
to increase
neuroplasticity, Lumosity was created to challenge the brain to make new
connections. A group of neuroscientists at University of California Berkeley
developed this program
to provide stimuli for the brain to push it to adapt and
re-train itself in uncharted territory.
Success stories abound concerning the results of this
public experiment.
Ask 5 Whys When
Encountering Problems
One of the most standard problem solving solutions, the 5
whys still provide a solid start
to uncovering the root of a problem. Asking a question
gets the brain working to find an answer. Instead of worrying about the
problem, always start by asking why.
Eschew Technology
to Keep the Brain in Shape
Technology does wonders for the modern world, but in some
ways, technological dependence stunts the brain’s capacity for problem solving,
adapting to new environments,
and being a reliable resource for practical things like
simple mathematics and navigation.
Try going on a trip without a GPS. Work a few algebra
problems without a calculator.
Make your brain work for you; you’ll see the results.
Fostering
Creativity
Finger-painting in preschool was not only a fun activity;
it helped open up the mind
to new possibilities and ways of solving problems. An
artistic mindset creates new opportunities
to find new solutions, fresh inspiration, and peaceful
confidence.
The blend of these elements in both personal and
professional environments
allows ordinary people to shine by becoming an innovative
thinker and inventive leader.
Find ways to incorporate creativity into the dull grind
of daily tasks.
Draw
You don’t have to be an artist to appreciate the benefits
of drawing, which cultivates brain activity
in a unique way. In addition to nurturing basic hand-eye
coordination, it sends synapses
to neurotransmitters to help more permanently and vividly
store your memories. From doodles
on a piece of scrap paper to charcoal portraits, drawing
is a healthy brain activity for everyone.
Paint
Painting is an extension of drawing. It feeds the same
areas of the brain, but unlike drawing, painting often introduces new and
unfamiliar textures and colors to stimulate the brain.
Painters often have a keen sense of awareness towards their
surroundings.
Engaging in painting encourages people to notice minute
details of the world around them.
Focusing the brain in this manner brings a heightened
state of alertness.
Play an Instrument
Learning to play an instrument also has outstanding benefits
for the brain. Hand-eye coordination, memory, concentration, and mathematic
skills all improve through playing an instrument.
While some are more challenging to learn than others, any
instrument facilitates increased
and improved cognitive functioning.
From training your fingers to master complex musical
passages on the piano to counting the beats in a musical measure, instruments
force various regions of the brain to work together to create music.
Write
Like reading, writing encourages vocabulary growth,
grammar skills, and use of proper syntax. Writing helps the brain store
information more effectively and fosters better memory skills.
Studies show that students who regularly take handwritten
notes during college classes consistently score better on tests. Writing forces
a person to pay attention to their memories, experiences,
and internal dialogues – a combination that increases
brain function altogether.
Role-Play
Put yourself in someone else’s shoes, and your brain
starts to rewire to help you think
like a different person. For those struggling to form
creative ideas, role-playing can help the wheels start turning in the brain to
help develop unique solutions for difficult problems.
Working with
Others
Although logical intelligence is important, emotional
intelligence plays an equally vital part
in overall success. Interacting with others helps people
expand beyond their own limited thinking, gain new ideas, and see things from a
different perspective.
People are challenging. Smart people often enjoy
isolation because it protects them
from being critical of others. However, this discomfort
is necessary for truly smart people
because it pushes them outside their bubble. When you
start to believe you have
all the right answers, start collaborating with others to
expand perspective.
Teach and Share
Information with Others
Whether this is achieved virtually or face-to-face,
pursue colleagues and peers
to share experience and wisdom. Fresh faces and new ideas
spur inspiration and create
an amplified learning environment for the brain. By
creating a network for sharing ideas,
your brain starts developing a new network for
formulating and executing innovative concepts.
Talk to
Interesting People
No two people share the same life experiences. Everyone
interprets information uniquely,
stores memories
differently, and digests daily life with their own intellectual flare.
This makes collaboration a necessity for brain health.
Although we are all inclined to think
our method is the best approach, gaining perspective from
another person helps our brain
consider new solutions and new techniques for both
personal and professional issues.
Whether the conversation is centered on religion,
finances, politics, or diet trends,
people should practice being a good listener. Silencing
your own thoughts
while the other person speaks is often challenging, but
the brain needs discipline to stay sharp.
Work in a Team
Environment
Collaborative environments are essential for enhancing
brain activity. Some people who enjoy working independently dread the moment
when they are forced to participate in a team-focused workplace. However, these
independent individuals are highly intelligent
and can benefit the most from a little teamwork.
Author Steve Johnson’s book, Where Good Ideas Come
From, focuses on the benefits
of collaborating with peers and coworkers to develop
original ideas and effective strategies
for their execution. The modern workplace continues to
shift towards this team-oriented approach.
Cultivating
Physical Health
The body feeds the brain, and keeping oneself in top
physical condition is crucial to adequate fueling and operation of the brain.
Lack of motivation, mental fatigue, and absence of inspiration
are typically connected to poor exercise, diet, and
focus.
Exercise
Studies constantly show people who exercise regularly
have higher I.Q. scores. In addition to maintaining a strong body, people who
exercise regularly actually stimulate brain cell growth.
A process called neurogenesis occurs during rigorous
exercise, which increases the production
of neurotransmitters. With side effects like increased
dopamine, active people enjoy less stress, better concentration, and more
energy.
Dr. Michael Nilsson of Sahlgrenska Academy and
Sahlgrenska University Hospital
in Sweden conducted extensive research on the topic.
“Being fit means that you also have a good heart and lung capacity and that
your brain gets plenty of oxygen,” the doctor said.
His research
focused on over a million Swedish military men, and Dr. Nilsson found a direct
correlation between physical fitness and high scores on I.Q. tests.
Pursue Athletics
Multiple studies have shown active children typically do
better in school and have a better chance
of continuing their education after high school graduation.
Although athletic pursuits can feel grueling at the time, the overall benefits
of intense physical activity are wise for your future.
Whether it’s finding one thing you are good at, like
basketball, running, or lifting weights, or trying something new every day,
maintaining an athletic routine is important for optimal brain health.
Meditate
Controlling and calming the brain is as powerful as
enhancing activity through instruments
and puzzles. Doctors have been studying the effects of
mediation on the brain for several years,
and the results are impressive. In one famous study, Dr.
Richard Davidson of the University of Wisconsin collaborated with the
Dalai Lama to study what happens to the brain during meditation.
Transcendental Meditation yields impressive results for
the brain.
People who struggle with fear, anxiety, depression, and
other mental ailments
should experiment with meditation to calm themselves and
develop a stronger sense of focus.
Maintain a
Nutritious Diet
Children and adults interested in boosting brain activity
should begin by transforming their diet. Research from the University of
Bristol in England points to a strong connection between unhealthy diet and low
I.Q. scores in children. To begin reversing unhealthy tendencies, try cutting
out
excess fat, sugar, and fast foods, and start adding more
vegetables, fruit, and lean meats.
There are also a number of unusual drinks proven to help
brain function. Matcha Green Tea,
Raw Cacao hot chocolate, and Gingko Biloba tea all show
benefits for the brain.
Some scientist claim Gingko Biloba helps pump more blood
to the brain, improving circulation.
Active Learning
Start children young with interactive video games, jump
roping, juggling, and other activities
to feed brain stimulation. Assign a musical instrument, a
physical activity,
or a Sudoku puzzle to get their brains moving. Parents,
remember to join in the fun!
Creating daily routines to promote healthy brain activity
doesn’t require
the advice of a neuroscientist. While plenty of studies
provide convincing evidence,
increasing brain activity can be accomplished with a few
basic steps. Be intentional about your time and energy to start working towards
a smarter and more fulfilling life.
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/work/you-these-20-things-every-day-youll-become-smarter.html
Turbo Charged Reading: Read more>>>Read
fast>>>Remember more>>>Years later
Contact
M’reen at: read@turbochargedreading.com
You can TCR specialist and language dictionaries that are spontaneously
accessed.
I can Turbo Charge Read a novel 6-7 times faster and remember what I’ve read.
I can TCR an instructional/academic book around 20
times faster and remember what I’ve read.
A practical overview of Turbo Charged Reading YouTube
How
to choose a book. A Turbo Charged Reading YouTube
Advanced Reading Skills Perhaps you’d like to join my FaceBook group ?
Perhaps
you’d like to check out my sister blogs:
www.innermindworking.blogspot.com
gives many ways for you to work with the stresses of life
www.ourinnerminds.blogspot.com which takes advantage of the experience
and expertise of others.
www.happyartaccidents.blogspot.com just for fun.
To
quote the Dr Seuss himself, “The more that you read, the more things you will
know.
The more that you learn; the more places you'll
go.”
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your opinions, experience and questions are welcome. M'reen