5 Things That Lower Your IQ , high IQ has long been associated with high levels of success. A 2003 study showed that American presidents in recent decades have consistently been among some of the most intelligent people in our country, despite their varying backgrounds and upbringing. This should be no surprise, however: it takes a lot of intelligence to successfully navigate and solve issues on an international scale.
But new research shows there are other factors which determine your IQ score, including stress and physical activity level. In fact, you may even be able to raise your IQ score simply by engaging in certain activities more frequently—keep reading for a list of things that lower your IQ and tips on raising it back up!
Don’t Let Your IQ Drop! 5 Things That Lower Your IQ (And 5 Ways To Raise It Back Up)
Your IQ has been an important part of who you are since your earliest childhood days, and it’s just as important now as it was back then. So what happens when you start doing things that are lowering your IQ? Can you raise your IQ if you start doing things that raise it? This article will help you figure out what’s affecting your IQ and how to get it back up where it belongs!
1) Toxic Stress
In a 2012 review of research published in Psychology, Brain and Behavior, researchers found that chronic stress can actually shrink your brain. The study also found that being subject to long-term stress can make you less intelligent and more prone to diseases like Alzheimer’s. So how does something like stress affect your brain? According to NPR, here’s what happens:
Chronic stress has been shown to cause physical changes in a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is vital for learning and memory. Exposure to prolonged periods of severe stress — known as toxic levels of glucocorticoids — can harm neurons in both parts of the hippocampus. How do you keep from experiencing too much toxicity? Get enough sleep (try these tips!), exercise often and learn new things on a regular basis.
2) Smartphone Addiction
A review of a recent study showed that smartphone usage can lower one’s intelligence by five points. The theory is simple – our brains focus primarily on whatever we are looking at, and many people look at their phones for hours each day. Looking at something for long periods of time is something our brains aren’t used to doing and can cause stress, tiredness, or confusion.
If you want to raise your IQ and stay sharp, take a break from your phone now and then – spend some time in nature, read an actual book, or talk with someone face-to-face instead of communicating via text message. You might even be surprised at how much sharper you feel after just a few days of disconnecting.
3) Alcohol Abuse
One drink might not seem like a big deal, but it adds up over time. Consuming just one extra drink each day puts you at risk for memory loss and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Just because you don’t want to think about how many drinks you had last night doesn’t mean your brain hasn’t already noticed. Moderate alcohol consumption also increases risk of heart failure and high blood pressure—two things you definitely don’t want. When it comes to keeping your smarts, less is more.
Drink moderately, if at all. If you’re worried about cognitive decline, try some simple activities that keep your mind sharp. Start by brushing up on subjects you haven’t thought about in a while. Or learn something new by taking a class or doing an online course. If learning feels too daunting, try solving puzzles or games instead; they are proven ways to keep your mind sharp!
4) Bad Sleeping Habits
We’ve probably all woken up from a dead sleep to turn on our phone for a quick check. Or, maybe we’ve been so worried about work that we can’t actually fall asleep at night. Our ability to be mentally sharp depends heavily on getting enough quality sleep each night—and there are plenty of things out there that will make it harder for us to do so. If you want to keep your brain in tiptop shape, try to avoid these activities before hitting snooze: Instead, spend time doing some deep breathing exercises or listening to soothing music before bedtime. You’ll be waking up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in no time!
1. Watch TV right before bedtime
2. Sleep with lights on or late into the evening
3. Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all
4. Eat too much close to bedtime
5. Use stimulants like caffeine late into day
5) Heavy Metal Toxicity
Heavy metal toxicity is becoming more common in recent years, especially in children. Heavy metals include chemicals like lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium. If you are concerned about heavy metal toxicity, consider these five things that lower your IQ… ##5. Plastics Bisphenol A (BPA), found in plastics such as water bottles, can leach into food or drinks and disrupt hormone levels in adults and children. BPA has been linked to increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and reproductive problems. Try to avoid plastic containers whenever possible—even those labeled BPA-free. Instead of buying bottled water from a store or vending machine, bring a reusable bottle with you wherever you go.
