Have you ever noticed that certain people around you seem to be better than the rest of the people in their circle; this is because they have certain habits that will make them smarter.
You might even be wishing to be as smart as they are.
Whether you want to improve your career, or relationship with people, acquire a new skill, or simply become better in certain aspects of your life, the key to becoming it is to be smarter.
Getting smarter or becoming intelligent doesn’t happen overnight rather it’s a dynamic quality that you can cultivate and enhance over time.
If you’re ready to take up new skills, adapt flexibility, and cultivate a new lifestyle then welcome to your journey of becoming smarter.
All you need to do is incorporate specific habits into your daily routine that can sharpen your cognitive abilities, expand your knowledge, and boost your brainpower.
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. By reading you’re able 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 that you’re familiar with because reading about new genres makes you learn about fields of study that 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 assist you grow your vocabulary.
2. Learn Something New Every Day
Learning doesn’t stop when you stop being a student because in the actual sense, we are all students of life and this means we need to continually top up our learning game at all times.
Luckily, knowledge is endlessly available for everyone online. Sometimes for free and other times really affordable.
You can try learning a new skill on websites like Udemy, Coursera, SkillShare, and a quite number of 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
One of the habits that will make you smarter is mindfulness and meditation. 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 whatever 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:
Engaging in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking, jogging, or cycling, most days of the week.
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 that 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 to 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 that 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 desired rest that you need for a smarter lifestyle start by aiming for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
To accomplish this goal 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 more smart because your brain will be at work most of the time.
You can also be a part of 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 of the ways 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 an 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 make use of every information and skill that you’ve gathered.
When we think of someone in life whose smartness we aspire to be it might be a person 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 doing a self-evaluation, you’re able to identify patterns and start seeing the world through the lenses of patterns and change.
So, after learning and gaining new skills, practice everything that 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 change of lifestyle, routine, or even ideology.
However, it is not impossible because becoming smart is a continuous process that every human shouldn’t give up on.
Being smart 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 smarter both in the professional and personal aspects of your life.