7 hobbies that make you smarter, according to science

If you enjoy reading different books, maintain a physical exercise routine and love to travel, your intelligence level is likely above average.

Scientific studies indicate that this Hobbies make us smarter. However, these are not the only hobbies that can indicate a high IQ.

Check out other things below that you can adopt to improve your cognitive skills.

7 hobbies that smart people tend to practice

1. Meditation

Searches Studies conducted by renowned institutions, such as Harvard University, reveal that practicing meditation can bring about changes in the structure of the brain.

The study in question highlights important changes in cortical thickness, especially in the hippocampus, a brain area essential for managing learning and memory processes.

Regularly, people who practice meditation show a potential increase in these cognitive abilities, indicating an improvement in intelligence.

2. Playing a musical instrument

Playing musical instruments is good for the brain, including the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as stimulating executive function and sensory perception.

As we age, this organ tends to decrease in size and volume, which directly affects mental health.

In fact, practicing musical instruments can be an effective strategy to combat these effects, slow cell deterioration and maintain mental flexibility.

This is confirmed by A He studies 2017 from the University of Montreal, which highlighted that musical training enhances multisensory processes in the brain, leading to a marked reduction in reaction time when encountering multisensory stimuli.

3. Travel

one Searching With students from German universities, they evaluated brain differences between students who traveled and those who did not leave their cities.

Levels of extraversion, self-satisfaction, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to new experiences were measured.

Upon their return, the travelers noticed a significant improvement in their personality, while those who stayed did not notice such changes.

Changes in travelers included an increase in sociability, awareness, complacency, and desire to try new experiences after more than a year on the road.

4. Dancing

one He studies Important from New England Journal of MedicineHe, who has monitored older people for more than two decades, revealed that regular dancing reduces the risk of dementia by 76%, a rate twice as high as the rate associated with reading.

Moreover, another Searching Published in Current Alzheimer’s research He confirmed that dance-based therapies improve the cognitive functions of dementia patients.

5. Exercise

In a He studies From the University of Illinois, 59 older adults were divided into two groups: one did aerobic exercises and the other did stretching and toning exercises, both for six months.

The results showed that the aerobic group saw an increase in frontal brain mass, which led to improved functions such as attention and memory, reinforcing the idea that physical health positively affects mental health.

6. Read

Reading is an activity that enriches intelligence in multiple ways. one He studies From 2013, he highlighted that immersing yourself in fictional stories sharpens emotional intelligence, because by engaging with different characters and their personal journeys, you develop greater empathy.

To stimulate analytical thinking, it is recommended to read non-fiction works, such as guides and self-help books.

These materials can expand your creativity and enhance your skills to meet practical and theoretical challenges.

7. Play video games

Finally, if you enjoy gaming, know that video games can be a valuable ally in brain health.

Searches From 2014 suggests that casual gamers have superior memory compared to non-gamers. Action games, in particular, seem to strengthen this cognitive aspect.

studies Additional studies, including a 2013 study, suggest that playing video games enhances problem-solving skills.

Furthermore, it has been highlighted that 12-year-olds who master emerging technologies tend to excel at traditional creative activities, such as drawing and writing, later in life.