| A lot of research has been done on increasing | | | | In a study of the Mozart Effect, researchers |
| intelligence. Well there are some who says | | | | showed that university students who listened to |
| intelligence can't be increased but many | | | | this particular music before taking a test |
| researchers and psychologists believe that it is | | | | performed better than those who did not. |
| possible. | | | | However the effect is temporary, for permanent |
| Our brains are like muscles and like muscles the | | | | effect, researchers recommend taking music |
| more you use them the more they become | | | | lessons. Researchers had found that children who |
| stronger. Similarly the more we use our brain, the | | | | had music lessons for two years did better on IQ |
| more it becomes better in the form of increased | | | | tests than those who took did not. |
| intelligence and here is why. | | | | 4) Physical Exercise - Physical activity also |
| Our brains contain billions of neurons and | | | | appears to contribute to intelligence, increasing |
| neurological studies show that when the brain is | | | | memory retention, improving some types of |
| exposed to a stimulating environment, neurons | | | | problem-solving ability, and helping relieve stress. |
| continue to grow, expand, and synapse. Synapse | | | | Stress has been shown to negatively affect |
| is a connection between two neurons. It is | | | | learning and memory. However do ensure to |
| believed that when synapses are stimulated more | | | | have a good night sleep. Insufficient sleep causes |
| frequently they become stronger and permanent. | | | | degradation of mental functions. |
| This in a way helps to improve cognitive function | | | | 5) Proper Diet - A proper diet is important for the |
| or intelligence. | | | | proper function of the brains. The brain requires a |
| What can we do to stimulate our brains and | | | | wide variety of nutrients daily and this means do |
| increase intelligence? Below are 5 methods. | | | | not skip your meals and foremost meal breakfast. |
| 1) Reading - Read books on mathematics, | | | | Many studies have shown that skipping breakfast |
| philosophy, science, history, art, etc. Reading allow | | | | reduces the mental performance. |
| one a wide perspective of the world and the on | | | | However make sure the foods consumed are not |
| going happenings around us. It also increases our | | | | junk foods like fizzy drinks or sugary stuffs and |
| creative ability to solve problems. Another benefit | | | | highly processed cakes, pastries and biscuits, |
| of reading is it increases your vocabulary, a | | | | which contain trans-fatty acids. An example of |
| contributing factor to a person's overall Intelligence | | | | good food for the brain during break fast is toast |
| Quotient (IQ). | | | | bread with beans or with marmite. These provide |
| 2) Playing Games - Exercise the mind by playing | | | | the brain with a steady supply of glucose. |
| games. It is believed that mental exercise, such | | | | Other things to take note are to consume food |
| as playing puzzles, strategy games like chess and | | | | rich in the following nutrients like Vitamin B, C, E, |
| playing musical instruments, can help to maintain | | | | fibre, choline, beta-carotene (an antioxidants) and |
| and improve the cognitive abilities. | | | | docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Examples of food |
| 3) Listen and Learn Music - Listen to not just any | | | | rich in these nutrients are eggs, vegetables or |
| music but one of the music from Mozart. This | | | | fruit salads, fish, etc. So our mums were right, |
| particular music is Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos | | | | fish is a good brain food. |
| in D Major. The effect is known as Mozart Effect. | | | | |