3 Ways To Improve Your IQ You Know About But Don't Do!

I regularly post unique and interesting ways to engage your body and mind at the same time and improve your IQ. I like these because they're fun to try and usually really simple, and new activities that you haven't tried before are always going to engage new lesser used parts of your brain. However, I think it's important to go back to basics and take a look at the obvious ways to improve your IQ that most of us already know about but don't take seriously or don't bother with.

1. Sleep better

We all know that when stay up all night and stay in bed til 2pm the next day our brains are functioning at minimal capacity. We also know that horrible feeling of not getting enough sleep and having to go a full day on emergency backup levels, droning about like a zombie. There's a lot to be said for an honest nights sleep. While the amount of sleep we need to feel fully refreshed varies from person to person, it's generally recommended that you get 7 or 8 hours per night. Developing a regular routine is also very good for your brain, hence why people who get up early are always more productive than people who sleep in. Don't worry about when you need to go to bed, your body will be sure to let you know. Instead, focus on trying to get up at the same time every day, even on the weekends. If you feel you could be doing better, get up a half hour earlier for a week, then increase it another half hour. By focusing on when you wake up rather than when you go to sleep, your body will learn that it can't negotiate and you'll soon lose the urge to lie in snooze mode when you wake up.

2. Get More Exercise

We've heard it a million times "A Healthy Body Equals A Healthy Mind!" So why don't we pay attention? There is irrefutable evidence that healthier people who work out regularly are more productive, most organized and most importantly, more intelligent! Your fitness level DOES equate with your intelligence level. The reason being that as a healthy individual you can circulate more oxygen through your blood and keep your brain "pumped". You're also fighting diseases easier and digesting and absorbing vitamins and minerals easier and faster. Vitamins and minerals which are essential to growth of body and brain!

3. Eat Right

Which brings us onto the third and final thing we know but always forget to act on: eating healthy. Maintaining a healthy diet is one of, if not THE key factor in maintaining intellect. Numerous studies have been conducted where kids in school grudgingly had their meals replaced with healthier alternatives and almost overnight their progress and work showed better results. There are thousands of brain foods out there waiting to be eaten. Blueberries and wild foods are packed with nutrients while oily fish and flaxseed contain high levels of Omega 3 (which essentially lubricates the brain). While these unique food products will help, the most essential part is a healthy, well balanced diet just as the brain and body were designed to consume. Stick to the infamous food pyramid(pictured) and watch your IQ grow.