IQ, or intelligence quotient, shows one’s intellectual intelligence. But have you ever wondered if you can increase or develop your IQ?
Yes, you can. Studies show that several practices, routines, and diet changes can help. These changes will develop some of the skills that are measured during intelligence quotient testing.
This article talks extensively about the various skill development activities, routines, and diets that can help you increase your IQ and some activities to avoid.
Let’s dive right into it.
Can you increase your IQ?
Taking an intelligence quotient test shows you how intelligent you are, but this is not the entire story. Neuroscientists have stated that the brain has the capacity for much more, and your IQ can change.
Your IQ can either increase or decrease, depending on your activities. Study shows that consistently partaking in some exercises can help raise your IQ score. Some of these activities are;
1. Meditation
Meditation is not new, but many fail to know just how vital it is to the body. Research shows that meditation relieves stress and helps good brain function. It improves memory activities, concentration, and blood flow to the brain.
The best practice is to meditate for 30 minutes daily, 10 minutes 3 times or 15 minutes twice, preferably in the morning or before bed.
2. Do memory-boosting activities
Another effective way of boosting your intelligence is by partaking in memory-boosting activities. These activities are known to push the brain further and faster.
The best practice is to participate in problem-solving puzzles or games. When done regularly, it helps to stave off dementia. Some activities that help in memory training are;
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Crossword puzzles
- Concentration card game or card matching
- Sudoku
- Scramble
- Lumosity
3. Read more
Education, in any form, is a big factor contributing to your intelligence quotient. Try reading daily and adding to the knowledge you already have.
Indulging in reading regularly helps improves comprehension, vocabulary, spatial and mathematical abilities, and logic.
You can also try reading some MIT open courseware, which offers comprehensive notes, syllabuses, and tests. You can also study more on platforms like Coursera or Khan Academy.
4. Get new experience
Doing the same thing daily tends to make your intellectual development stale. Try getting out of your comfort zone and getting a new experience you can learn from.
Take time and attend conferences, lectures, or seminars to help you get new experiences. You can also try indulging in new activities like playing chess, lacrosse, or other activities you haven’t done before.
Well, you do not have to be a musician to benefit from learning an instrument. Study shows that just 75 minutes of music learning weekly can significantly increase one’s IQ.
Another proven way is to try learning a new language. It gives your brain that extra push to develop.
5. Visuospatial reasoning activities
Visuospatial reasoning is the ability to identify visual and spatial relationships among objects. Studies have shown that increasing your visuospatial ability can also increase your intelligence quotient level.
Some activities that would help build this ability include;
- Painting
- Partaking in point-of-view activities
- Reading 3-D models or puzzles
- Reading maps
- Playing video games.
6. Executive control activities
Executive control refers to one’s ability to control complex cognition, make decisions, organize, and manage tasks. These activities are strongly tied to fluid reasoning, another aspect that dictates human intelligence.
Some activities that will help train you in executive control are;
- Playing Pictionary
- Playing scramble
- Playing red light, green light
- Playing checkers
- Indulging In other brainteasers activities.
7. Get enough sleep
Surprisingly, getting adequate sleep is another way of increasing your intelligence quotient. The brain needs rest, just like any machinery, after it has been used for a while.
Whether you work day or night, get between 7 – 8 of sleep daily. This is because consistent inadequate sleep keeps the brain from functioning optimally.
8. Eat good food
The best practice is to ensure that your breakfast contains plenty of protein. Study shows that protein increases the brain’s ability to produce vital organic chemicals.
Some of these chemicals include neurotransmitters, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These chemicals increase the brain’s alertness and critical thinking level.
The best protein choices for breakfast are eggs, lean pork or chicken sausage, and turkey bacon. You can also try Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, nut butter, and black beans.
You can as well try incorporating some dark snacks into your diet. They contain a powerhouse of antioxidants that helps the brain fight off free radicals. It also makes your body stays healthy and strong.
What activities should you stop or limit?
After seeing how to increase your intelligence quotient, you should also know activities to stop or limit. These activities hinder or sabotage your effort to increase your IQ.
Some of these activities include;
1. Smoking
Studies show that excessive smoking can lower your brain’s capacity to develop. The study shows that young men or women who smoke will likely lower their IQ by 7 points.
2. Drinking alcohol in excess
Study shows that an excess intake of alcohol is known to hinder the brain from being sharp or working at an optimal level. Alcohol is best to be taken in moderate quantity rather than in excess.
3. Consuming fluoride
Studies have correlated fluoride intake with a reduction in one’s intelligence quotient. This is because it contains neurotoxins that can adversely affect brain development.
These effects include; attention disorders, autism, depression, and nervous system degeneration.
FAQs
What is the average IQ of a 70-year-old man?
The average IQ of 70 years of man is around 114 – 119.
Can someone with a low IQ be successful?
Having a low or high IQ is not a guarantee that one can be successful. Other factors will determine one’s success regardless of their IQ level.
Can multivitamins increase IQ?
No, it can’t. Taking multivitamins does not affect your intelligence quotient level.
Conclusion: Can you increase your IQ?
It is possible to increase your IQ, and this is done by adopting a particular routine or some activities. They include building your visuospatial ability, executive control ability, etc.
However, activities or routines can still decrease your IQ, and avoiding or limiting them is best. They include; smoking, excess drinking, and constant intake of fluorine.
Becoming more intelligent is possible. You have to be intentional about increasing your IQ. It may take time, but surely you will see the improvement over time if you stick to the right routine.
You can also learn more about the highest possible IQ.
Thanks for reading this article.
