Having a low IQ is not the end of everything, because IQ is not the only factor that determines a person's success. However, if you want to have a higher IQ, there are several ways to increase your IQ that you can try.
intelligence quotient (IQ) is a term that is often used to measure a person's intellectual intelligence and ability to understand ideas, solve problems, learn various things, to think and reason.
Today, IQ scores are often used as a requirement for entering schools and colleges, or even when applying for certain jobs. Companies or institutions will generally conduct an IQ test to find out your IQ score.
now, do not be sad or discouraged if you previously obtained a low IQ score. There are various ways that you can do to increase your IQ as well as prepare yourself if one day you have to take an IQ test.
Various Ways to Increase IQ
A person's level of intelligence or IQ is influenced by various factors, such as genetic factors, nutritional intake, parenting, educational history, to health conditions. IQ scores are not fixed values and can change as a person grows older.
To increase IQ, there are several ways you can do, namely:
1. Train the brain through games
One way to increase IQ is to play games that can sharpen the brain (brain games), for example crossword puzzles, puzzles, or sudoku. This activity is believed to increase intelligence by training memory and reasoning and language skills.
2. Playing a musical instrument
You can also increase your IQ by learning to play a musical instrument. According to research, playing a musical instrument can train your sensory and thinking skills, auditory perception, physical coordination, and memory.
Don't worry if you find it difficult to learn a musical instrument. You don't have to be a great musician to get the benefits of music to increase your IQ.
3. Learn a foreign language
Learning a foreign language turns out to not only make it easier for you when traveling abroad, interacting with people from other countries, or listening to foreign songs and watching movies. In fact, introducing children to foreign languages from an early age can support brain development and increase their intelligence.
This has been proven from several studies which state that bilingual people appear to have better IQ and learning abilities than people who can only communicate with 1 language.
4. Reading books
When you read a book, you will try to follow the story line, imagine, understand, and draw conclusions from what you read.
Undeniably, this activity is one of the classic ways to train thinking skills, increase insight, and maintain brain health and function.
Not only reading, reading story books to children is also good for their brain development. According to research, this activity can train children's language and thinking skills.
5. Continuing formal education or taking courses
Education, in any form, is essential for developing intelligence or increasing IQ. A study showed that attending formal education for 1 year can increase IQ scores by up to 5 points.
Apart from continuing your formal education, you can also participate in seminars and workshops or take courses, such as cooking, sewing, or foreign language classes.
6. Doing socialization
Humans are social creatures. Therefore, discussing or exchanging ideas can be one way to increase IQ. According to a study, actively socializing can stimulate your mind and thinking skills.
Apart from interacting with friends or people you already know, you can also socialize by joining new communities or volunteering so you can meet new people and share experiences and insights.
7. Eat nutritious food
You can also do nutritious food consumption to increase IQ. Choose a variety of foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, protein, and various vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin K, zinc, and selenium.
These various contents are considered to be able to maintain and support brain function. These various nutrients can be obtained through certain foods or beverages, such as seafood, fish, nuts, eggs, various fruits and vegetables, as well as tea and chocolate.
8. Sufficient rest time
Adequate rest at least 7-9 hours per day is also important to support brain function in order to work optimally.
When you sleep, your brain strengthens your memory of the things you experienced throughout the day and prepares you to learn new information when you wake up. Therefore, getting enough sleep is one way to increase your IQ.
9. Doing exercise regularly
Not only good for body health, regular exercise is also a way to increase IQ and brain function. Exercise can improve memory and keep blood flow in the brain smooth, so that nerve cells and brain tissue remain healthy.
In addition to the various ways above, you can also regularly do brain exercises to hone intelligence and train concentration and memory.
To increase IQ or maintain overall body health, you can exercise at least 3 times a week, for 30 minutes every day.
A high IQ is still believed to be the key to one's success. However, in reality, IQ scores are not the only determining factor. There are other factors that also play an important role in supporting success, such as hard work, perseverance, personality, behavior, and emotions.
Therefore, it is not only IQ that is important to improve, but also emotional intelligence or intelligence emotional quotient (EQ). If you have questions about IQ or ways to increase your IQ, you can consult a psychologist.