Simple Tips And Tricks To Get Smarter

Genius hacks that will make you a little more, well, genius.

- Amanda Tarlton

MAKE TWO NEW TURNS ON THE WAY TO MATH CLASS. Over 40 percent of what we do every day is habit—from where we sit in the caf to which streets we walk home. Doing the same old, same old lets your noggin slack off and get lazy, so shake things up a few times a week by sitting in a different spot at lunch or taking a new route. You’ll be teaching your brain how to adapt—and feel sharper as a result.

SWITCH HANDS. Try using your non-dominant hand for everyday activities. Your opposite hand is linked to the side of your brain that’s used less often, so when you brush your teeth with your left hand (if you’re a righty), you’re giving your brain a wake-up call.

ENTER A CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP. You’ve finally perfected a French braid, or maybe you finished that short story you’ve been writing for months. Don’t stop there. Once you’ve mastered a skill or a new hobby, push yourself even further. Is there another tricky hairstyle you haven’t learned? A fan-fiction writing contest you could enter? Continuous improvement is a key part of strengthening your smarts because, like Mom always says, use it or lose it.

FREESTYLE. No, not over some sick beats. Studies show that swimming increases the blood flow to your brain so you can think more clearly and efficiently and can reverse damage done by stress (a process called hippocampal neurogenesis, for all you future med students). No pool? Run, bike, lift or Zumba—all types of exercise that release chemicals such as dopamine into your brain, improving short-term memory.