How to Improve Intelligence

I am blessed to have been born with good genetics. My IQ measure is higher than most and I have always had a knack for problem solving and communication. With age I'm increasingly attentive to the necessity to use my intellect to keep it sharp for as long as I can. Like a good knife, the mind needs honed or it will fail when you need it most.

Intelligence is more than just being good at taking an IQ test; it is the result of different skills and aptitudes mixing and interacting together. While intelligence can be measured in nie ways – linguistic, logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, naturalistic, musical, existential, kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal, there are really only two types. Fluid intelligence is the ability to think abstractly, reason, identify patterns, solve problems, and discern relationships. This type of intelligence depends mainly on one’s native ability and is not something that can be obtained through education or exposure to various environmental factors. Crystallized intelligence is the opposite of fluid intelligence. It refers to the knowledge and skills that are obtained through education, learning, and experience; because of this, crystallized intelligence can increase throughout a lifetime.

When we encounter an entirely new problem that cannot be solved with our existing knowledge, we must rely on fluid intelligence to solve it. Crystallized intelligence is based upon facts and rooted in experiences. As we age and accumulate new knowledge and understanding, crystallized intelligence becomes stronger. These are two very separate and distinct types of intellectual prowess, but they work together. Fluid intelligence is the fuel we need to process the information we acquire from our crystallized and learned experiences. On the other hand, crystallized intelligence is the oil that keeps our fluid intelligence running in good condition.

Since fluid and crystallized intelligence are both important aspects of optimal learning, I have always been interested in learning ways to harness and improve my own intelligence. I've found three things to be helpful in keeping a fine edge on my own mental life so as not to slip by the wayside over time. First and foremost, in keeping with the “use it or lose it” adage, I work hard at staying proactively interested in the world around me, always open to new experiences and new opportunities that come my way.

It’s all about this thing called neural plasticity. Plasticity refers to the number of connections our neurons make between each other, how they are affected, and how long-lasting they are. Our intelligence is affected by how much information our neurons take in and pass on to each other. Regularly exposing oneself to new experiences and learning opportunities literally primes one's brain for learning.

I literally look for things that stimulate my mind – not necessarily something deep or academic - just something to keep my brain moving. Writing in this daily blog is my trail of breadcrumbs of where I have mentally been lately. I can't emphasize enough how having many mental and physical pursuits to chase in life prevents the mind from being idle and keeps us young at heart. Let's face it, when it comes to not only mental acuity, but also one's physical health and longevity, idleness is our archenemy.

The other two things I do to keep myself as mentally and physically healthy as I can for as long as I can are that I discipline myself to do regular aerobic exercise, mostly in the form of running and hiking, and I get plenty of sleep. We all know exercise promotes a healthy body, but it is just as vital for maintaining a healthy mind. It raises IQ, protects the brain from disease by regularly flooding it with oxygen, improves memory and attention capacity, and even slows aging.

As far as getting enough sleep, it has indisputably been shown that sleep deprivation affects both cognitive and physical performance. When I don't get enough sleep I can tell – my mood is a clear indicator.

It is easy to get lazy about maintaining health, both physically and mentally. The widespread incidence of Alzheimer's disease is the result of lifestyle choices of diet and mental and physical activity and not due to some foreign agent of infection. By taking responsibility for our own health as we age, most of us can avoid the impact of degenerative illness in our later years. A quality lifestyle has a price. I am willing to pay it.