13 Simple Habits That Actually Make You Smarter



1) Get a good night's sleep

Getting a good night's sleep is essential for mental and physical health, as well as for improving memory and concentration. Not getting enough sleep can lead to impaired brain functioning, mood swings, and an inability to concentrate.

When it comes to getting a good night's sleep, the key is establishing a regular sleep schedule and sticking to it. It's important to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Make sure your bedroom is dark and comfortable. Keep electronic devices out of the bedroom, and avoid caffeine and alcohol in the evening.

If you're having trouble falling asleep, try using relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, or breathing exercises. You can also try listening to soothing music or an audiobook.

By making sure you get enough quality sleep each night, you'll be able to improve your focus and mental acuity, while improving your overall physical health. So make sure you're getting enough sleep each night – it's one of the most important habits that will make you smarter!

2) Exercise regularly

Regular exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, and it has been shown to have numerous cognitive benefits as well. Not only does exercise help to improve physical health, but it can also help to sharpen mental acuity and increase your ability to learn and remember new information. Exercise has been shown to stimulate the production of neurotransmitters in the brain such as dopamine and serotonin, which are associated with improved mood and focus. Additionally, exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which can help improve cognitive function.

Aerobic exercise, in particular, is especially beneficial for brain health. This type of exercise helps to stimulate the release of hormones such as endorphins and BDNF, which aid in promoting better concentration, focus, and memory. Strength training can also help to boost mental clarity by releasing endorphins and improving overall energy levels.

It's important to note that you don't need to spend hours in the gym in order to reap the cognitive benefits of exercise. Even a few minutes of activity each day can make a difference. Aim to include some form of aerobic and strength training in your routine three to four times a week for best results.

3) Meditate or do breathing exercises

Meditation and breathing exercises are great ways to help you become more focused and creative. Meditation can help reduce stress, increase concentration, and improve overall mental health. It’s also a great way to clear your mind and gain clarity.

Breathing exercises can be done anywhere and can help you manage stress, focus, and increase energy levels. Taking time out of your day to breathe deeply and practice mindfulness can help you think more clearly and make better decisions.

There are many types of meditation and breathing exercises that you can try out. You can start by taking a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breath. Try counting your breaths or focusing on how each breath feels. As you become more comfortable with this practice, you can explore other forms of meditation such as guided imagery or visualizations.

Additionally, you can use specific breathing exercises to manage stress levels. A simple exercise is to take a deep breath in through your nose, hold it for a few seconds, then slowly exhale through your mouth. This will help relax your body and mind and allow you to be more focused.

Taking the time to meditate or do breathing exercises each day can help you feel calmer and more relaxed, while also making you smarter!

4) Play games

Playing games is a great way to exercise your brain and make yourself smarter. Whether you are playing board games, card games, video games, or any other type of game, you are engaging your brain in problem solving and decision making. This helps to develop your skills in thinking, reasoning, and understanding. Games also give you the opportunity to interact with others and practice cooperation and communication. Playing games can increase your critical thinking skills, memory, creativity, and overall cognitive abilities. They can also help reduce stress and improve your mood. So take some time out of your day and play a game—it can help make you smarter!

5) Read regularly

Reading is a great way to expand your knowledge and become smarter. It helps to increase your vocabulary, improve your understanding of complex topics, and challenge yourself to think critically about new ideas. Reading also helps to boost creativity, as it encourages you to explore new topics and viewpoints. Whether you’re a fiction fan or a non-fiction enthusiast, make reading a part of your daily routine. Set aside time each day to crack open a book and challenge yourself to become smarter.

6) Write regularly

Writing is a great way to increase your intelligence and hone your communication skills. Whether you write for pleasure or for business, it’s important to make time for regular writing practice. Writing helps to increase creativity and sharpen your critical thinking skills. It also encourages you to think more deeply about any topic you may be exploring.

You don’t have to be a great writer to benefit from this habit. Writing regularly can help you develop an understanding of how to create effective arguments and communicate your ideas in a clear, concise manner. It can also help improve your spelling, grammar and punctuation skills.

There are numerous ways to incorporate writing into your everyday life. Writing in a journal or diary can be a great way to reflect on your day and get your thoughts out on paper. You can also take up creative writing or even write letters or emails to friends or family members.

The key is to make writing a regular habit and find something that works best for you. Regularly writing can help you become smarter and more confident in your written communication.

7) Learn something new

Learning new skills and knowledge is essential for developing your cognitive ability. Taking a class, reading a book, or learning how to do something new can help you expand your knowledge base and give you a more diverse range of skills to draw upon. This can not only make you smarter, but it can also open up new doors of opportunity. Consider taking a class at your local community college or library, enrolling in an online course, or signing up for an apprenticeship or mentorship program. Learning something new can be an invaluable experience that will benefit you both now and in the future.

8) Teach someone else

Teaching someone else is a great way to increase your knowledge base. Not only does teaching someone else help you understand a concept better, it also encourages you to research and practice what you are teaching. Additionally, teaching someone else can help to further solidify your understanding of the topic and create a connection with the person you are teaching.

If you’re interested in teaching someone else, you can start small by offering to mentor someone or tutor them in an area that you know well. If you’re not sure where to start, there are many websites and organizations dedicated to helping people find mentors and tutors.

Mentoring someone or tutoring someone in a specific topic can be very rewarding. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping someone else to learn and grow, while sharpening your own skills in the process. Teaching someone else can also open up new opportunities for yourself, as you may gain professional contacts or even find new career prospects through your mentoring activities.

9) Listen to music

Music has been shown to have a powerful effect on our brain, as it can stimulate certain areas and help us become more creative and innovative. Listening to music can also help reduce stress and improve concentration, as well as being an enjoyable experience in general.

Music has a wide range of effects on our brains. It can increase dopamine levels, which leads to feelings of pleasure and reward. It can also help with cognitive tasks such as problem solving and decision making. Studies have found that listening to classical music can even improve mathematical skills!

Listening to music can also make us more emotionally intelligent, as it activates the brain’s emotion centers. This can help us better understand our own emotions and those of others, leading to improved interpersonal relationships.

Finally, listening to music can improve our overall wellbeing. Studies have found that listening to music can reduce anxiety, depression, and stress levels.

In conclusion, listening to music is a great way to boost your mental abilities and overall wellbeing. Take some time each day to listen to your favorite tunes and reap the benefits!

10) Network

Networking is an important part of developing yourself professionally and personally. It’s a great way to build relationships, gain knowledge and contacts, and even to find job opportunities. But networking is not only beneficial for career development; it can also help you make smarter decisions.

Networking means making connections and talking to different people in different fields. This helps you get different perspectives on a certain issue or problem, which can help you think critically and be more creative when solving it. Networking also helps you increase your knowledge on a particular subject, as well as finding mentors who can provide guidance and feedback. Additionally, networking gives you the opportunity to build relationships with people who may have resources that can benefit you in the future.

Although networking can be intimidating at first, it doesn’t have to be! Take some time to research events or groups in your area, or reach out to people you want to connect with via social media or email. Once you get into the swing of networking, it will become easier and more enjoyable. You never know what kind of connections you could make!

11) Take breaks

It’s easy to get lost in our everyday tasks and responsibilities, but it’s important to take breaks throughout the day. Taking breaks can help you stay focused, improve productivity, and give your mind a chance to rest. Taking short breaks throughout the day can be beneficial, whether that means stepping away from your desk for a few minutes or taking a walk outside. It’s important to have a regular break schedule and make sure to stick to it.

In addition to taking a few moments away from work each day, it’s also important to take longer breaks when you can. This could mean taking a week-long vacation or a weekend getaway. During these longer breaks, it’s important to unplug from technology and focus on being present in the moment. This can help you relax, recharge, and come back with a renewed sense of purpose.

Breaking away from our everyday routines can help us reset and recharge, making it easier to return to our normal activities with more enthusiasm and focus. So don’t forget to take breaks – both short and long – throughout the day!

12) Be social

Staying connected and engaging with people is an important part of staying sharp and growing intellectually. You don't need to be a social butterfly to reap the benefits of being social – even just a few meaningful conversations can have a positive effect on your brain. Having meaningful conversations allows you to learn more about different perspectives, explore new ideas, and potentially even form valuable relationships. Research has found that social interaction can also help reduce stress and improve physical health.

When you’re able to, try to get out and meet new people or attend social events. This will allow you to learn more about the world around you, pick up new skills, and gain insight into how other people think and feel. Additionally, you can stay connected with friends and family through online platforms like video calls, messaging apps, and social media. Even just talking to someone in-person can help boost cognitive functioning and creativity.

Whatever method you choose to use, staying connected with others is an effective way to challenge yourself, keep your mind sharp, and learn from other people’s experiences.

13) Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of the present moment and paying attention to what’s going on inside and outside of you. This includes paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and your environment. Practicing mindfulness helps you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so that you can take better control of them.

It can help you be more creative and productive, as well as reduce stress and anxiety. It can also help you make better decisions because it gives you the time to think things through before acting impulsively.

To practice mindfulness, start by taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breath. Notice how it feels in your body and notice any thoughts or feelings that come up without judging them. Then, slowly extend your awareness to include your environment. Notice any sounds or smells around you. You can also try a guided meditation or yoga practice to get started.

As you practice mindfulness, remember that there is no right or wrong way to do it. Just take some time each day to be aware and accept whatever comes up for you. With regular practice, you’ll find that mindfulness will help make you smarter, more creative, and more resilient.