10 Odd Habits Highly Intelligent People Have
Surprise, surprise—they’re the simple habits that often get overlooked, and are best practiced in your early 20s and 30s.
1. They Exercise Daily
We all know it’s important to take care of your body, but the last thing you should do after a long, stressful day is to mindlessly stare at the TV or put your feet up on your couch. There’s a good reason to get up and get active—a University of Illinois study revealed that even mild exercise can boost brain power! You don’t have to hit the gym for an hour to reap the benefits, either—shorter, more intense workouts are better for your brain, too.
2. They Read Fiction
Creative thinking is what separates true geniuses from the rest of us. But there’s one habit you can adopt to help you think outside the box—simply reading fiction can increase creative thinking and help you get into the “flow state,” according to research from Emory University.
3. They Listen to Music
Those of you who love music (even when you’re not playing) know the benefits it can have on your state of mind. Listening to songs that make you feel motivated, sad, or inspired, for example, can improve your mood, help you tap into a creative process, and improve your thinking. Listening to music at a lower volume also can help you get into a flow state, too.
4. They Slow Down
Instead of working nonstop, learn to take time to process and think. You’ll go a long way toward improving your creativity, thought process, and focus. Sometimes it’s as simple as pausing to figure out what the heck you’re thinking about, and then mulling it over while you walk down the street.
5. They Wake Up Early
It’s easy to think that you need to go to bed at night, but what you really need to do is go to bed earlier. Skipping your morning workouts and working until you’re completely exhausted all day doesn’t help you think more clearly, and will only make you more stressed and exhausted. Wake up early, get some morning sunlight, exercise, meditate, and get to work.
6. They Schedule Creative Time
Schedule 1-2 hours in your day to just for you. Whether you do yoga in the morning, write in a journal, draw, or meditate, you need to learn to nurture yourself and stay motivated when you feel stuck. As Alex Bennett explains, time is your friend when it comes to creativity. It’s best to use the time in your day to take breaks, and spend it on creative pursuits instead of sitting at a desk all day.
7. They Plan Ahead
Creative people are proactive, and that goes beyond knowing what their “next big idea” is. Sure, you need to know what you want, but it’s more important to have a plan, as a Brazilian study revealed. Planning ahead is the key to unlocking creativity, and more creative people are the ones who take the time to think of how to implement their plans into reality.
8. They Play Video Games
You know those games you play when you’re bored and don’t know what else to do? Whether you’re playing with a group of friends, or you’re playing alone, gaming is a great creative outlet, and a lot of people have become addicted to it. A University of California study found that just 20 minutes of playing video games can improve a person’s cognitive ability.
9. They Reduce Distractions
Video games are great because they can be played anywhere—and at any time, for that matter. And because you can always set them aside when you need to think, it’s easier to find a little time for yourself. With a laptop and some headphones, you can even play games while you’re on a conference call.
10. They Dream
Yep, it sounds corny, but there’s scientific proof that dream-inspiring is good for the mind. In fact, it can improve creativity. Of course, we’re not talking about daydreaming. Even though you may spend some time thinking about what you would like to do with your life, if you wake up in the morning with no idea where you’re supposed to be going in life, you’re probably dreaming.
If you want to be more creative, start taking advantage of the free time you do have. Check out these expert tips to make the most of every hour.
© 2022 Akash Panda
