There’s no denying that being smart gives you a leg up in life. You pick things up faster, and problem-solving comes much easier. 

A common misconception is that intelligence is purely a matter of genes. But that’s not true at all. It’s also a matter of environment. 

And that’s good news for all of us, because it means we can beef up our intelligence and performance with the right attitude and habits. 

In fact, study after study on the effects of a growth mindset has proven that we can grow our abilities through work and effort.

Here are 11 simple mental habits that will make you smarter than most, according to psychology: 

1) Reduce your added sugar intake

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, this might not be welcome news for you – research has shown that sugar dulls the brain. 

According to the Texas Institute for Neurological Disorders, “A high sugar diet can lead to excess glucose in the brain and studies have linked excess glucose consumption to memory and cognitive deficiencies.”

I used to be a sugar junkie myself, with a nasty habit of eating chocolate chip ice cream for a midnight snack. 

In the moment, yes, it felt comforting.

But the next morning? Not so much. I’d wake up feeling sluggish and foggy, even if I’d had a full eight hours of sleep. 

Once I committed to reducing my sugar intake, I felt a noticeable difference. I could concentrate much longer and remember things better.

So yes, take it from the experts, sugar is really just a temporary high. Not worth the brain tax it exacts. 

2) Get enough sleep

Well, not much to say here, really.

I’m sure you’ve noticed the difference in your mental sharpness between the days when you’ve had enough sleep and the days you haven’t. 

But if you want to get technical about it, let’s talk about how lack of sleep impacts the brain, according to the Sleep Foundation. 

First off, because they don’t have time to rest and repair, the neurons in the brain become overworked. 

They then become less capable of performing different types of thinking, especially those that are more complex and involve logic. (Which explains why we make dumb decisions when we haven’t had enough sleep!)

And secondly, it impairs focus and memory, which then makes learning difficult. 

This is what I was talking about earlier – the difference you might have noticed.

I know that when I don’t get enough sleep, the next day feels incredibly heavy.

I take longer to finish even simple tasks because well, my brain just isn’t brain-ing. 

3) Reduce your screen time

This is closely connected to my previous point, as screen time is probably one of the biggest culprits for lack of sleep.

It’s actually ironic that the age of smartphones is making us, uhm, dumber. Aside from contributing to sleep deprivation, it also harms the brain in other ways. 

For one, constant connectivity overwhelms our brains with too much information, so it’s doubly hard to make decisions or solve problems effectively.

Also, the non-stop notifications and updates can hook our brains like a slot machine, creating addictive patterns that lower our productivity and mental strength.

Another issue is that quickly switching between apps and scrolling through social media can break up our attention span.

Over time, this makes it tough to focus deeply on anything for long. 

And let’s admit it – haven’t we gotten mentally lazier, now that Google is there to answer all our questions? 

One study established that our brain power gets significantly reduced whenever a smartphone is within reach. Even if the phone is off!

Psychologists call this the “brain drain hypothesis”.

As VeryWellMind explains it, ”Essentially, we are less likely to rely on our own cognitive resources if we know an information source is readily available.”

I’ve noticed this in myself, which is why I make sure to do a digital detox everyday.

It’s been a long, hard road back to my old capacity for paying attention, but it’s absolutely worth it. 

What can you do instead, then? The next habit is a good option…

4) Read, read, read! 

This probably comes as no surprise, as reading is widely known as an intelligence-booster. 

How? Let’s count the ways:

• It exposes you to new ideas
• It improves vocabulary
• It strengthens problem-solving skills
• It improves brain health by increasing brain connectivity over time
• It trains you to have a longer attention span

And it doesn’t end there – reading also boosts your emotional intelligence by developing empathy.

So if you want to be smarter in every way, pick up a book – it’s that simple.  

5) Keep learning in different ways

If you’re really not into books, that’s fine – there are lots of other ways to learn!

The important thing is that you’re keeping your brain stimulated, so feel free to explore other avenues such as workshops and classes, podcasts, TED talks, or YouTube tutorials. 

Each of these options offers unique benefits and can cater to different learning styles.

This goes back to what I mentioned earlier about the growth mindset.

As long as you keep learning, you can’t help but get smarter! 

6) Play board games and puzzles

Speaking of stimulation, adding brain teasers and board games to your repertoire can make you smarter, too.

When I was a child, my mom made it a point to include brain training games in our library.

We played memory card games, jigsaw puzzles, Clue, Monopoly, and more. We also had crossword puzzles and Sudoku books.

Research shows that board games like this do make us smarter.

All while having fun! 

As the Buck County Free Library points out: 

“Playing stimulates brain areas that are responsible for memory formation and complex thought processes for all ages. Engaging in play assists in practicing essential cognitive skills, such as decision making, higher level strategic thinking, and problem solving.”

I know in my heart that Clue was responsible for keeping me curious and observant! 

7) Try new things

Did you know that novelty is linked to intelligence?

The  more intelligent a person is, the more open they are to new experiences. 

Again, this has to do with the brain making new connections.

According to one study, novelty has a wide range of effects on cognition, such as: 

• Improving perception and action
• Increasing motivation
• Encouraging exploration
• Promoting learning

So make it a point to venture where you haven’t yet.

Go explore new places, taste different cuisines, talk to people from different cultures. Dare yourself to do something you’ve never done before. 

8) Get out and socialize with smart people

One of the things that has really helped me stretch my brain more is to seek out smart company.

As the saying goes, “Never be the smartest person in the room.” 

I’ve always taken this to heart, and I’ve been so fortunate to have a diverse circle of friends and colleagues who really are smarter than me. 

I love being around people who think differently from me, who challenge me with different perspectives and opinions. 

I know that if all I have around me are like-minded people, I would never grow and learn something new.

I might even fall into the trap of groupthink. 

So, if you want to be smarter, keep a diverse circle of intelligent people.

Connect with them and stay open to new ideas and debates.

They can teach you a lot and hone your critical thinking skills as well. 

9) Exercise regularly

Apparently, exercise doesn’t just keep you physically fit; it also makes you mentally sharper.

According to research, the parts of the brain that control thinking and memory are literally larger in volume in people who exercise than in people who don’t. 

And here’s something even more exciting – you can get that result by engaging in moderate exercise for just six months to a  year! 

If that’s not enough to get you out of the couch and into your trainers, I don’t know what will! 

10) Cultivate a meditation practice

When it comes to keeping the brain sharp, quiet time is just as important as movement.

Here are some amazing findings from studies that explored the effects of meditation on cognitive function: 

• Meditation significantly improves memory and cognition by as much as 10 times.
• As little as 2 weeks of mindfulness meditation can improve working memory capacity, reading comprehension, and focus.

And the most astounding discovery of all – meditation can improve IQ by 23 percent! 

How can it make such a huge impact? 

By slowing down brain activity. This gives the brain the opportunity to rest and reorganize itself. 

Who knew just slowing down and meditating can make you so smart? 

11) Daydream 

Finally, we get to the simplest yet absolutely powerful mental habit of all – daydreaming. 

I bet this comes as a surprise, considering that daydreaming has always been frowned upon in schools and at work.

I remember my teachers often getting frustrated with me because I would zone out a lot. 

But science is on my side, so take heart, all of you daydreamers out there! The verdict is in – daydreaming makes us smarter. 

It does so by enhancing divergent thinking and opening up the path for more innovative and creative thoughts. 

If you’ve ever had an “aha” moment, that’s what I’m talking about. 

You’ve let your mind wander and it makes connections without you even noticing, and when it finally breaks through to your consciousness…ah, a glorious lightbulb moment! 

So don’t mind the people who might call you lazy or inattentive for daydreaming.

Just tell them you’re busy getting smarter. And if I might add, happier and healthier!