7 daily habits you probably don’t realize are making you less intelligent, according to psychology

In our daily routines, we often indulge in various habits that we believe to be harmless, even beneficial. However, you might be surprised to learn that some of these common practices might be impeding your intellectual growth.
Psychology reveals that several everyday actions can unknowingly affect our cognitive abilities, subtly diminishing our intelligence over time. These habits are more intertwined with our intellect than we realize.
To bring awareness to these seemingly innocuous practices, we have compiled a list of seven everyday habits that could be making you less intelligent, according to psychology.
Breaking down each one, we will discuss why it affects your intelligence and how you can make changes for the better.
So, let’s delve into the surprising ways in which your daily routine could be impacting your intellectual prowess. Stay tuned to discover the first habit you might need to reconsider.
1) Multitasking
Contrary to popular belief, multitasking isn’t a productivity booster. In fact, it’s a habit that can hinder your intellectual growth.
When you multitask, you’re not truly doing multiple things at once, but rather rapidly switching your attention between tasks.
This constant shift can lead to cognitive fatigue, making it harder to concentrate and diminishing your overall cognitive performance over time.
Psychological studies have shown that multitasking can reduce productivity by as much as 40%. It also increases the likelihood of making errors and reduces our ability to retain information in memory.
Moreover, chronic multitasking can alter the structure of your brain. Research reveals that people who multitask frequently have less dense gray matter in the anterior cingulate cortex, a region of the brain responsible for cognitive and emotional control.
So, instead of attempting to juggle multiple tasks at once, consider adopting a more focused approach.
Concentrating on one task at a time allows for deeper engagement, better performance, and improved retention of information.
To break away from the habit of multitasking, consider techniques such as:
- Time blocking: Allocate specific time slots for different tasks throughout your day.
- Pomodoro Technique: Work on a task for 25 minutes, then take a five-minute break. Repeat this cycle four times, and then take a longer break.
- Mindfulness: Practice being present in the moment and fully engaged in the task at hand.
By cultivating a single-tasking mindset, you may find yourself not only becoming more efficient but also fostering greater intellectual growth.
2) Lack of physical activity
Physical activity is not just beneficial for your body, but also for your brain.
Regular exercise has been linked to improved cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. It enhances the flow of oxygen to your brain and promotes the growth of new neuronal connections.
Conversely, a sedentary lifestyle can negatively impact your intellectual growth. A lack of physical activity can lead to cognitive decline over time.
This includes reduced concentration, slower thinking speed, and a decline in problem-solving abilities.
So, incorporating regular physical activity into your daily routine can be a powerful way to boost your intelligence.
This doesn’t mean you need to hit the gym every day. Even simple activities like walking, cycling, or yoga can go a long way in promoting cognitive health.
If you find it challenging to incorporate physical activity into your schedule, consider these strategies:
- Start small: Begin with short sessions of light activities and gradually increase their intensity and duration.
- Make it enjoyable: Choose activities that you enjoy to make exercise more appealing and less of a chore.
- Use what you have: Use your body weight or everyday items as exercise equipment if you don’t have access to a gym.
Boosting your physical activity level is a habit that not only improves your physical health but can also enhance your intellectual capabilities.
3) Insufficient sleep
Sleep is essential for our brain’s health and functioning. It provides the rest necessary for our neurons, aids memory consolidation, and rejuvenates our mental energy.
Insufficient sleep, on the other hand, can negatively impact various aspects of cognitive function.
When you don’t get enough quality sleep, your attention span, problem-solving skills, and creativity can suffer.
Chronic sleep deprivation can also lead to long-term mood disorders like depression and anxiety, which further affect cognitive function.
Several studies have demonstrated the significance of sleep for intellectual growth. According to research, children who have regular sleep routines have superior cognitive performance compared to those with irregular sleep patterns.
If you’re having trouble getting enough sleep, consider adjusting your bedtime routine. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule, creating a restful environment, and avoiding screens before bed can all contribute to better sleep quality.
4) Unhealthy diet
Your diet can significantly influence your cognitive function and intelligence.
Consuming a balanced diet is crucial for maintaining good brain health and ensuring optimum mental performance.
Unhealthy eating habits, such as consuming too much sugar or processed foods, can negatively impact your brain’s functioning.
High sugar intake has been linked to cognitive decline, while processed foods often lack essential nutrients needed for brain health.
On the other hand, a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can provide your brain with the nutrients it needs to function optimally.
These include antioxidants to protect against oxidative stress, omega-3 fatty acids for maintaining neuron function, and B vitamins for energy production and DNA repair.
To enhance your intellectual capabilities, strive for a balanced and nutritious diet that nourishes your brain as well as your body. Consider incorporating nutrient-dense foods like berries, leafy greens, fatty fish, and nuts into your daily meals.
5) Overuse of technology
While technology has undoubtedly made our lives easier, overreliance on it can hamper our intellectual growth.
Excessive screen time, especially on social media platforms, can diminish our ability to concentrate and think deeply.
Studies have shown that heavy internet use can lead to structural changes in the brain, affecting areas responsible for attention and decision-making.
Overuse of technology can also lead to digital overload, where the constant stream of digital information becomes too much for the brain to process, leading to cognitive fatigue.
Furthermore, spending too much time online can shrink our attention span. As one study found, even the mere presence of a smartphone can reduce cognitive capacity.
To mitigate these potential downsides of technology overuse, consider setting boundaries for your screen time. Establishing specific times during the day for using digital devices and taking regular breaks can help maintain a healthy balance.
Also, when using technology, try to engage in activities that stimulate your brain, like reading informative articles or playing brain-boosting games.
This way, you can make your screen time more productive and less detrimental to your intellectual growth.
6) Isolation from nature
Believe it or not, being disconnected from nature can negatively impact your intellectual growth.
Research shows that spending time in natural environments can enhance cognitive abilities, improve attention span, and boost creativity. In fact, even a brief interaction with nature can lead to significant improvements in cognitive performance.
That’s because nature has a calming effect that can reduce stress, refresh the mind, and enhance mental clarity.
Unfortunately, our increasingly urbanized and technology-centric lifestyles often lead to a disconnection from the natural world.
This lack of interaction with nature can result in less mental rejuvenation and a consequent detriment to cognitive performance.
To counteract this, try incorporating more nature into your daily routine. This could be as simple as taking a walk in a park, gardening, or even just spending a few minutes each day looking at trees or plants. You could also consider introducing indoor plants into your home or workspace.
7) Neglecting mental stimulation
The saying “Use it or lose it” applies to our brain as well.
Regular mental stimulation is crucial for maintaining and enhancing cognitive abilities. Engaging in activities that challenge your brain helps to strengthen existing neural pathways and create new ones.
However, if your daily routine lacks mentally stimulating activities, you may unknowingly be hindering your intellectual growth.
Passive activities like watching TV or aimlessly scrolling through social media do little to engage your mind.
On the other hand, active engagement in activities like reading, solving puzzles, learning a new language, or playing a musical instrument can significantly boost your cognitive skills.
These activities challenge your brain, keep it active, and can even help delay cognitive decline.
To incorporate more mental stimulation into your daily life, consider setting aside time for brain-boosting activities that you enjoy. This could be anything from reading a book, doing crosswords, learning a new hobby, or taking online courses.
Embracing intelligent habits
Breaking old habits and forming new ones takes time and patience. But with consistent effort and perseverance, you can progressively replace detrimental habits with ones that bolster your intellectual growth.
Start small by choosing one or two habits to work on.
For example, if you’ve identified that you’re not getting enough sleep, focus on improving your sleep hygiene first.
Once you’ve successfully integrated this new habit into your routine, move on to the next one.
Remember, it’s not about achieving perfection but about making progress. Every step in the right direction counts. Embrace the journey of personal growth and celebrate every small victory along the way.
Moreover, it’s important to remember that everyone’s journey is unique. What works for one person might not work for another. Be open to exploring different strategies until you find the ones that suit you best.
Be patient with yourself during this process. Change takes time, but the rewards of enhancing your cognitive abilities and overall well-being are well worth the effort.
With consistent practice and a positive mindset, you can overcome these habits that are making you less intelligent and pave the way for a healthier, more intelligent you. Keep learning, growing, and striving for a better version of yourself every day.