10 Scientifically Proven Tricks to Increase Your Intelligence

Maybe you're an aspiring rocket scientist who's always been a little too lazy to study for your next exam. Maybe your coworkers just keep stealing your ideas and you'd like to earn a spot at the top of the brainstorming chain. Either way, here are ten scientifically proven tips that will help boost your intelligence, from tackling difficult math problems to getting smarter every day.

1. Take breaks while studying

In a recent study, researchers found that while taking a break from studying aided in memory retention, those who showed no improvement in the first place didn't get any additional boost from being given a break. So don't spend hours on end poring over your notes or you may be wasting your time. Instead, take short breaks to get some water or pop open some fresh air and let your mind process what it's learned.

2. Exercise

Scientists have found positive correlations between exercising and intelligence. A few years ago, researchers at the University of Edinburgh asked participants to do 20 minutes of exercise per day for six weeks to see how it improved their overall fitness and health. At the end of the six weeks, participants also took an intelligence test, which revealed a slight increase in their IQs. Exercise has also been shown to reduce stress, which can be a huge distraction when it comes to studying.

3. Listen to music

Listening to ambient music has been shown to improve problem-solving abilities and creative cognition more so than "intense listening" to classical or jazz music. The study found that while participants listening to intense music could solve problems quicker at first, they reached a plateau before long and had less solutions by experiment's end than participants who listened to ambient music.

4. Get a good night's sleep

Getting adequate sleep can have an effect on your intelligence. Researchers found that subjects who slept 6 hours or less per night had an IQ score of 10 points lower than those who slept 6 or more hours. However, this drop was only statistically significant in a group of young men, not women. Another study has shown that short-term exposure to light can have an effect on the levels of testosterone in the body, which may contribute to changes in cognitive performance as well as measured intelligence. Ideally, you should aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night for optimum cognition and alertness.

5. Meditate

Meditation has been shown to improve a variety of mental abilities, including intelligence. In a recent study, researchers found that practicing mindfulness meditation increases the size of certain brain regions associated with memory and emotional regulation. However, this doesn't mean you should ditch your old-fashioned studies for meditation.

The researchers found that the combined effect of both mindfulness meditation and IQ tests improved test scores by over 30%. And while it's been debated whether or not a person can be truly "smart," as opposed to intelligent, studies like this show how meditation is beneficial to more than just mental states.

6. Eat your vegetables

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables has been shown to have a positive impact on cognitive ability. One study, for example, found that those who ate more than four servings of fruits and vegetables per day had an IQ that was seven points higher than those who ate less than one serving per day. However, the same study found no correlation between consuming more saturated fats and a lower IQ.

7. Exercise early in the day

Getting some exercise first thing in the morning will help kickstart your brain activity while also boosting your energy levels throughout the rest of your day. A study at Stanford University found that men who exercised first thing in the morning scored higher on cognitive tests than those who exercised later in their waking hours or not at all.

8. Rub and relax

Massaging your hands can help you relax and stimulate blood flow to the brain, which can help improve your focus and concentration. However, it's important to take a break from this technique every once in a while to avoid over-stimulating your mind. Alternately, massaging other parts of your body can have a similar effect as long as you continuously change the locations that you focus on.

9. Eat high-protein foods

Eating a diet that is high in protein will not only make you feel fuller for longer, but it will also improve cognition and mood. Protein contains amino acids that help the brain produce neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that play a crucial role in memory, learning, and attention. It's important to note that this tip only applies to protein-rich foods like meat, fish, eggs, and beans. Vegetarians may need to seek out alternative sources of protein like nuts or tofu.

10. Meditate while shaving

Meditation has been shown to improve memory and attentiveness, so it stands to reason that it may benefit your shaving skills as well. Scientists have determined that learning something new while shaving can be improved by meditation, and the practice is also said to increase attentiveness during the act of shaving. You'll probably need some time to develop this new habit, but with persistence you should see results.

While there are a number of different methods out there to improve your study habits, there are several that have been shown to have a positive effect on cognitive performance. Don't spend hours in the library poring over notes and textbooks, instead put in some effort by taking a break every now and then.