Article Contents
Most of us thought that we are born with a certain level of brain power or intelligence. And, that we don’t have any control over it and simply live a life that we were meant to born. However, we can do something. Doing these intelligence-boosting activities have shown to improve intelligence.
We may not become scientists but they change how we view life. Eventually, it helps in enjoying and enjoying our life’s full potential. Studies have shown that certain activities are better and effective than others in keeping brain cells active.
Moreover, these activities are helping the brain form neural pathways for a faster and better brain. In other words, making these activities become hobbies can have tremendous help in bringing out a person’s intelligence.
Tips To Discovering Intelligence-Boosting Hobbies
Learning new skills is one of the best ways to cultivate intelligence. However, for most people, finding the appropriate brain-building hobbies can be confusing.
Here are the things you should look for in intelligence-boosting hobbies or activities;
- Makes you think beyond your comfort
- Requires you to dedicate absolute attention and focus
- Forces you to think differently
- Most of these activities require repetition to master
- Usually, they require both mental and physical effort
- Setting goals that are beyond your comfort level
- Activities that can make you better either physically or mentally
So, what are the common activities that you should be doing or perhaps develop into hobbies?
Well, there is one thing known to be helpful in maintaining brain health and improving brain power, regular exercise. Moreover, eating appropriate foods or good nutrition is just as important. Therefore, a combination of good nutrition and staying active physically are essentials.
Before we go into some of the most common intelligence-boosting hobbies you should be developing, knowing these basics is important. Certainly, you can get away without both while enjoying the brain-boosting hobbies, but you will not be able to enjoy it for long-term.
Part of having a quality life is health and having bad health will not make you happy and effective at what you do. With that in mind, here are the hobbies you should be doing for cultivating intelligence.
61. Reading A Book
The hobby of reading books is a good way to boost intelligence. A Guardian article talked about how reading boosts three types of intelligence such as crystallized intelligence, fluid intelligence, and emotional intelligence.
In one study by Carnegie Melon University says that reading creates new white matter in the brain. The significance of this is an improvement in communication.
Moreover, reading books not only expands the three types of intelligence but also make you feel better, develop a sense of confidence and minimizes stress.
52. Learning To Play Musical Instruments
Playing musical instruments is fun. The good news is that even if you’re not a musician, you can learn how to play any musical instrument of your choice. You don’t have to become an expert but simply learn, play and enjoy it.
One study1 says that playing musical instruments particularly starting at an earlier age improves executive function.
Moreover, playing musical instruments also helps in boosting language learning, creativity, and skills like analytical, math and fine motor skills.
On the other hand, some people may find it more significance in acquiring these skills through playing sports. One particular unique thing in which playing musical instruments does to the brain that others don’t is boosting the corpus callosum.
This particular area of the brain connects two the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Regardless of age as long as you have a well-developed corpus callosum, you are likely good at executive skills. It also helps problem-solving and overall brain function.
43. Learning Foreign Languages
You might have heard or read it somewhere particularly in social media. It says something like seeking two more languages is a sign of intelligence.
Bilingualism can have a profound effect on the brain. It improves cognitive skills not related to language. Plus, what’s even more interesting, speaking two more languages can be helpful in preventing dementia in old age.
Make learning a new language as one of your activity and learn more as you go along. Sooner, you could tell your own story that learning new languages is one of the effective intelligence-boosting hobbies that anyone can do.
34. Playing Sports
When it comes to playing sports, most people simply take it for granted. But in reality, when you play or simply watch your favorite sports make you feel better. Additionally, it also a great way to make more friends.
These are just two of the benefits in which most people do not pay attention to. In other words, playing sports is a great exercising while socializing at the same time.
Regardless of the sports you are playing or watching, it is one of the best ways to start a fund and even productive conversations.
And, as we know, regular exercise is beneficial to the brain. In fact, playing sports is an excellent form of exercise.
25. Meditation Practice
One of the less understood intelligence-boosting hobbies, or should we say a practice, which is meditation. Although it appears very simple, it has a tremendous positive impact on cognitive function.
Regular meditation practice helps the brain develop more. Moreover, regular meditators are able to find their purpose in life more easily than those who do not meditate.
16. Exercising Your Brain
If you like to have fun while increasing your intelligence, play sudoku, riddles, puzzles and games like video, card, and board games. These activities are not only fun to do, they also increase the brain’s neuroplasticity.
Doing these activities is helpful in stimulating synapses and neural pathways in the brain. It’s a good way to rewire the brain for better function. Although they look simple and even most people take them for granted, they are good intelligence-boosting activities.
Of course, with the exception of playing games for the purpose of gambling. That might not be a good idea.
If you are interested in the book Keep Your Brain Alive – 83 Neurobic Exercises to Help Prevent Memory Loss and Increase Mental Fitness, you can find and buy it from Amazon.com.