Habits That Lower Your Intellectual Quotient
There are a number of habits that lower your intellectual quotient, or IQ, that may be in your routine. These are customs that seem harmless or that seem unrelated to your intellectual level. However, science has proven that they decisively affect the functioning of the brain.
The habits that lower your IQ have to do with the way you eat and the lifestyle you lead. Research has found that certain actions, taken systematically, affect cognitive abilities.
Remember that IQ is an “intelligence measure” obtained by applying psychometric tests. While not everyone agrees with this metric or the implications that can be derived from it, what is clear is that those with bad habits do worse. Let’s look at what these habits are that lower the intellectual quotient.
Consumption of saturated fats
Saturated fats are the highlights of many of the foods that are within our reach. We find them in dairy products, fatty meats and sausages. Science has discovered that this type of food affects the cardiovascular system. They increase “bad cholesterol”, impairing the functioning of our circulatory system.
The consequence is that blood flow is reduced. This, in turn, results in less oxygen reaching the brain, affecting its functioning. This impairs many of the brain processes and even alters mood, potentiating negative emotions such as sadness.
Multitasking: one of the habits that reduce your intellectual quotient
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology conducted a study led by neuroscientist Earl Miller. The research focused on the effects of working with split attention, such as when working in a multitasking mode. The conclusions were clear.
The study indicated that the brain was not designed to multitask. People have the illusion that they are doing several things at the same time, but in reality, from a cognitive point of view, the process is still sequential. Likewise, the cost is high in terms of good intellectual functioning.
watching a lot of television
Television is a very popular entertainment medium. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most economical forms of distraction “at hand”. This creates a feeling of rest because we don’t need to use a lot of resources, neither physical nor mental, to keep up with what’s happening on the screen.
However, the price can be too high. Watching a lot of television is one of the habits that lower your IQ. It’s not just that it makes you passive, but, in one way or another, it numbs your brain.
Not enjoying quality rest
Quality sleep is very important for our mental functioning. A good sleep results in optimizing rest time in terms of its regenerative power.
Some studies show us that those who don’t get enough sleep and don’t get quality sleep get tired quickly doing a task, make more mistakes, and are more emotionally unstable. In addition, they are easily irritated by weaker or sustained stimuli over time.
Likewise, there is evidence that sleeping well makes us learn better. We were able to focus, keep our attention and better understand what we are studying.
consume a lot of sugar
Sugar, in large amounts, is another enemy of the brain’s proper functioning. A UCLA survey found that if a person maintains a high sugar intake for six weeks, their ability to learn and memorize will suffer. It is no coincidence that dementia has a higher incidence in people with diabetes.
The same study showed that fruits with a lot of fructose can produce the same effect. In this sense, we must point out that sugar consumption in itself is not bad, in fact, it is the main food of our brain. The problem appears when there is an excess.
These are all habits that lower the brain quotient. So the smartest thing is to keep them under control. That they do not become habits, but that they are sporadic actions. It’s not about following a strict regimen, but taking care of yourself to have a healthier and more fulfilling life.
