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The world is a jungle of discord. It’s a dog eats dog world out there. Opportunities are equally as many as the roadblocks we face. You may be thinking, “What is that thing that separates the successful from the unsuccessful?” Is it the color of their teeth, the amount of body fat, the number of hair in their armpits...Or maybe their intelligence?

Intelligence Quotient or IQ is probably one of the best indicators of human ability and potential. Higher IQ scores are associated with better academic accomplishment, outstanding job performance, and higher earning capacity. Most often than not people with IQ scores classified as “exceptional” and above achieve more in their professional endeavours as compared with people having lower than the said class.

It was believed that one’s IQ remains the same from childhood to adulthood. But recent studies suggest that the IQ of a person can increase if one takes care of himself and stimulates his brain habitually. Here are some tips to boost your IQ to the next level:

1.       Choose brain foods. Oily fish such as salmon, mackarel, herring, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These are essential oils that cannot be produced by our body. According to some studies, they are good for the brain. Nuts and seeds also contribute to slower cognitive function decline because they contain rich amounts of vitamin E.

2.       Get enough sleep. After a long day at work or school, your brain gets tired from all the thinking. It is advisable to complete an 8-hour sleep daily to help your brain convert short-term memory to long-term.

3.       Physical activity. Exercise promotes blood circulation to the brain. More oxygen to the brain means more energy for thinking.

4.       Don’t let technology slow you down. While it is true that computers from the calculator to the latest gadgets available in the market speed up our daily tasks, too much dependence on these devices can have an opposite effect in the long run. British psychiatrist Glenn Wilson found out that workers who are overly distracted with technology suffer greater loss of IQ than of those who smoke marijuana.

5.       Challenge yourself. Find a way to get out from your same old routine. Explore something new and find challenging activities that stimulate your brain. Try reading books, learn a new language, or play crossword puzzles or Sudoku in your smartphone.

6.       Listen to music. A group of researchers from the University of California gave two groups of college students an IQ test measuring abstract reasoning. One group was asked to listen Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D-major before the test. Results show that the group which listened to the piece scored 7 to 10 points better versus the other group.

7.       Make caffeine your best friend. Coffee and tea are both rich in caffeine that can help stimulate brain function for a limited time. Drinking a cup of caffeine goodness increases your alertness and intelligence to help you keep your mind prepared.

Although having higher IQ does not ensure a good life, it can make you feel more confident knowing that written in a piece of paper is an indication that you have the ability to be someone great. Who knows, that added ounce of confidence may take you to places you never thought of reaching.




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