Intelligence Quotient

Want to increase your intelligence quotient or IQ? There are brain exercises and techniques designed to help you long-term, but what if you want a quick brain fix right now? Maybe you have an important meeting coming up, a crucial test, or just a chess game you don't want to lose. If you want fast results, and not an argument about the definition of intelligence, try some of the following.

Breath Deep To Increase Intelligence Quotient

Breathing deeply relaxes you and puts more oxygen in your blood (and therefore in your brain). Since relaxation has been proven to improve brain function, and low oxygen levels in the blood have been shown to decrease it, you benefit doubly from deep breathing. Nose-breathing uses the diaphragm more, drawing air further into the lungs. This is an easy, effective way to improve the functioning of your brain immediately.

Meditating is also useful, partly because of the deep breathing aspect. Any simple breath-watching meditation allows true relaxation, and is conducive to creative problem solving. Here's one to try: Just close your eyes and breath through your nose, deeply at first, then in whatever way is comfortable. Thoughts will arise, but just dismiss them and return your attention to your breath. Continue this for at least a few minutes.

Move A Little To Increase Intelligence Quotient

Your posture affects your state of mind, and can help you to think more clearly. Here's an experiment to prove this to yourself. First do math problems in your head while slouching, with your mouth open. Then try again while sitting up straight with your lips together. You'll notice that it's easier to think this way.

Try exercising, but just enough to get the blood pumping. This can "wake up" your brain and help you think better. Walking works best for many, but any aerobic activity can help increase your IQ.

You probably knew that sleep can help brain function. However, the evidence shows that the quality of sleep is very important, not just the quantity.

Eat To Increase IQ

Ginkgo biloba leaves, whether in capsules or tea or off a neighbors tree, have been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, helping memory and concentration. The effect is quick, and doesn't seem to diminish with regular use.

Drink caffeinated drinks. Everything from test scores on college exams to chess games have been shown to improve after a cup of coffee or other drink containing caffeine. However, it is a temporary effect, and caffeine may have adverse long-term effects for regular users.

Avoid sugars and simple carbohydrates. Any simple carbohydrates taken in large quantities can give you a sluggish feeling that makes it difficult to think. Insulin is dumped into your veins after the sugar is, giving you the "sugar blues." Avoid white flour, sugar, potatoes, and other carbs if you want a clear mind.

Results Are What Matters

The "experts" will argue about whether you can increase your IQ in any absolute sense, but we know there are times when you would score higher or lower on an IQ test, right? So if you slept well, exercised, drank coffee and ginkgo tea, then sat up straight and breathed deeply as you took the test, don't you think you would score a few points higher? And even more importantly, wouldn't you be better prepared for whatever mental tasks you faced? Why not get smarter now, and forget the arguments about, and definitions of intelligence quotient?

Problem Solving 101 | Intelligence Quotient