Same as most other aspects of human cognition and behavior, intelligence is determined as a complex trait. Scientific studies reveal that this characteristic of human beings is generally influenced by both environmental and genetic factors.

Generally, people find it difficult to study intelligence because there are so many unique ways to measure it. Experts over the years have given several different definitions of intelligence. The most common one defines intelligence as the ability to learn from various life experiences and adapt to varying environments. Usually, the intelligence elements focus on the ability to plan, reason, and solve problems. It can be done more effectively by following abstract thinking that can further improve understanding to complex ideas. Several existing studies rely on the term Intelligent Quotient (IQ) to measure intelligence in an individual. If you are also interested to know more about this term IQ, the article below may help you better. Here we are going to discuss the basics of IQ, factors that affect intelligence, and methods to improve your IQ level. By the end of this article, you will be able to redefine the measures of intelligence for your life.

What is IQ?

IQ Sark Labs

In general, IQ is defined as the total score that is derived from standardized tests measuring the intelligence level of an individual. Experts state that the IQ level of a person measures his/her comprehension speed or mental agility. The outcomes are usually dependent on the age factor. Surveys show the most common IQ scores of people between 85 and 115.

This measure of intelligence became popular in the 1900s, and the concept was given by French psychologist Alfred Binet. Experts measure IQ by applying standardized testing which is further administered by licensed psychologists. In a few cases, the measurements can be done through mental health training practices at the graduate level. The commonly used IQ tests around the world include:

• Standford-Binet Intelligence Scale
• Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults (WAIS)
• Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V)

No matter how efficient the modern age online IQ test apps are, the most accurate results for intelligence measures can be obtained only through psychologist-administered IQ tests. Moreover, the IQ test is one way to measure intelligence; experts can use many other techniques also at different stages of diagnosis. IQ tests are commonly preferred by medical health experts to measure the learning abilities and cognitive health of the patient.

What Improves Intelligence: Genetics or Conditioning?

what improves Intelligence

You might have heard several parents arguing about the poor grades of their child at school. On one side, where the wife may blame the husband for the poor genes to lead his degraded performance, the husband may call her equally responsible for the contribution. The most interesting story starts when the grandparents add more chaos to the fight by claiming that this is all because of a poor upbringing.

Well, this is definitely a matter of debate, and the chances are that you all are excited to learn the real fact behind it. So, is it conditioning or genetics that decide whether a child will be intelligent or not? The fact is that none of these take all credit. The outcomes are influenced by both, and they may affect a child’s performance at different levels.

The existing researchers have conducted several surveys and experiments on genes that pose a direct or indirect impact on the intelligence level of an individual. Most of these studies focused on similarities in characteristics of family members, mainly focusing on the twins and adopted children. The outcomes of these studies suggest that genetic factors contribute to almost 50% difference in the overall intelligence level of an individual. Few other studies also examined the variation in intelligence levels as per the genomes of people to find a link between different genomes and IQ levels. Well, experts have not yet identified any specific gene that may play a major role in defining the intelligence level of an individual. The chances are that multiple genes are responsible for this, and each one of them makes a small contribution at a different level.

On the other side, the environment in which a child grows also affects his/her intelligence level. Some of the most influential factors include education level, parenting, home environment, availability of resources for learning, and nutrition as well. The genes and environment of a person are likely to influence each other. It may be difficult to tease apart the impact of genetics from that of the environment. For instance, if the IQ level of a child is the same as his/her parents, it may be due to genetic factors inherited from parents or maybe due to a shared environment, or it can be a combination of both. However, it is clear that both these factors play a significant role in determining the intelligence of an individual.

How to Improve IQ Level?

Many people consider IQ level as the main factor in making a judgment about any person’s mental health and cognitive function. But this is not a legitimate way in actuality because intelligence is an abstract term, and it may hold different meanings to a different person. However, if you are interested in enhancing your intelligence level to perform well in the day to day life, here we have listed some trusted tips from experts.

Focus on cardio

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The first thing you need to do to boost your intelligence is to do regular cardio. It offers a tremendous range of benefits and is extremely useful for cognitive health. One recent study reveals that regular exercises can enhance the neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity of your brain. Even if you cannot spare time to go to the gym, it is good to follow a daily cardio routine at home with some basic equipment. It just requires a few minutes from your daily life, and soon you will be able to experience the superpowers of your brain.

Spare time to meditate

Sark Labs Meditate buddhism

There are so many reasons to meditate, and eliminating mind-wandering behavior is one of them. The experts in the field of psychological science have already observed that people get easily distracted, but meditation can help them enhance their focus by a considerable level. Experts find it the best choice for increasing the memory capacity of an individual while leveling up awareness and consciousness. You should spare almost 10-15 minutes every morning to practice meditation, and you will stay energized and focused all day long.

Get healthy sleep

Healthy Sleep – Sark Labs

We cannot ignore the importance of healthy sleep quality in life. People who do not follow a set of routines for sleep are likely to stay fatigued and tired all the time. As a result, they are not able to perform well in their day-to-day life. However, those who take a rest for 7 to 8 hours and enjoy a deep sleep are likely to experience enhanced efficiency in dealing with day-to-day challenges. When you are asleep, your brain and body regain their energy while making you able to display great intelligence levels.

Read interesting topics

Read Books – Sark Labs

We often get interested in learning new topics but become fed up too easily. But if you want to boost your IQ level, you should make reading a persistent habit. Instead of being occupied with one book only, you should spare time to learn about a variety of topics, and it will soon help you develop pattern recognition ability. Scientific studies suggest that it takes us only 21 days to adopt a new habit; you can also add this healthy habit to your life with consistent practice. Note that it is not just about reading sentences; you have to read in-depth to boost your IQ levels.

Learn music

Learn Music – Sark Labs – Improve your IQ

Music brings joy to life, and that happiness keeps us motivated to perform well in different situations. Music helps us to learn the ability to pull necessary details out of noisy backgrounds. It is not just about singing; you can even learn to play some instrument of your choice. Music can refresh your brain while developing enhanced memory ability. It can pay back in the long run while helping you grow well in your personal and professional life.

Create new things

Create new things – Sark Labs

You don’t need to be an extraordinary person to create new things. You can work on anything that links to your interest and passion. Some people like writing books and poetries; others work on developing new games. You can even be a great cook who prepares some new delicious recipes on weekends. These practices can enhance your satisfaction level, and you are going to have a zeal to do well with each new creation. It is not about being a perfectionist; rather, you can try different iterations and try to improve with each effort. This is a basic formula for building intelligence where you allow yourself to make mistakes and analyze the critical details so that you can improve over time.

Brain exercise and mind games

Brain exercise Rubiks cube – Sark Labs

How can we forget the impact of mind games and brain exercises on cognitive health? They may help you to improve overall memory ability, focus, concentration, and cognitive function as well. There are so many games that you can try, such as puzzles, chess, quizzes, etc. They may help you to enhance your skills, curiosity, and inquisitiveness. Moreover, people also find them a great tool for ability tests and cognitive assessment. In order to avail desired outcomes, you should pick brain exercises that incorporate new learning and engage you with deeper concepts. The selected games must be interesting with a varied range of aspects. Reasonably complex games with higher-level challenges can further improve cognitive function by a considerable level.

Don’t forget to socialize

Socialize with your friends – Sark Labs

When you socialize, it increases your intellectual performance by a considerable level. Several research studies have proven that social interactions work as the most beneficial exercise for cognitive processes. People who spare time to connect socially or have larger networks are likely to receive quick intellectual boosts. It is good to get surrounded by some like-minded people with a progressive mindset. Experts do not advise spending much time among toxic people as they can drain your energy fast. Choose your circle wisely and make sure your group adds value to your life.

Take healthy diet

Healthy Diet Vegetables – Sark Labs

A healthy and balanced diet is a must for a healthy brain and body. People who consume good food do not experience deficiencies in protein, vitamin, iron, or calcium that may otherwise affect their brainpower. It is better to include fruits, vegetables, juices, and plenty of water in your routine diet. Some studies also establish a link between a vegetarian diet and high IQ levels. It is also observed that people with high IQ turn out to be vegetarian at some point in their life. People who consume healthy food in their day-to-day life are likely to experience strong intellectual functioning while avoiding cognitive decline with age. This ultimately increases IQ levels significantly.

Learn new languages

Learn new languages – Sark Labs

A recent study conducted in the year 2012 suggests that people who speak more languages are likely to have better cognitive health. Bilingualism can contribute to higher creativity levels and enhanced visual-spatial skills. This is the most efficient solution to reverse age-related decline in cognitive function. The great news is that it is never too late to enjoy the rewards of learning a new language. You can join some courses online or read vocabulary books from different languages in your free time. This will soon help you enjoy enhanced memory ability.

Fasting

Fasting – Sark Labs

Some recent studies suggest that fasting can awaken our senses while clearing up the mind. It is one of the widely accepted solutions to achieve enhanced brain functioning and learning abilities. However, it clearly doesn’t mean that you should skip food repeatedly. It is better to consult experts regarding what specific fasting pattern you can follow to achieve desired results.

Now you have gone through a few trusted tips to improve your intelligence with a better IQ score. Start practicing these ideas, and soon you will experience positive changes in your brain functionality and cognitive health. Let us know in the comments below if you would like to add more to the list. Also, do let us know which one of the above works the best for you.