I think it’s pretty safe to assume that most of us wouldn’tmind being more intelligent.  But how isit even possible to improve upon our intelligence?  Isn’t intelligence determined mostly by genetics?  It is indeed possible for nearly anyone to increase their mental capacity and performance; it just requires the right approach.  In the same way that physical exercise prevents decline, improves overall ability and enhances performance; mental exercise has been shown to act in nearly the same capacity.  But exercising your mind isn’t important just because you would like to increase your intelligence, it’s also necessary inorder to avoid cognitive decline.  In other words, use it or lose it.

The really amazing thing about the human mind though, is that unlike the body, it has virtually no limitations for growth potential.  There is a limit to how much mass and muscle development that you can physically accumulate; this is not the case with the brain.  Your brain is like a sponge with a boundless and voracious appetite.  Your supposed limitations are just constructs that you have put into place of your own and do not reflect your true potential.

Reading is an activity that works many different areas of the mind simultaneously.  Not only are you accumulating newinformation, but you’re also bridging connections with things you already knew.

There is a direct connection between our physiology and mental abilities.   The brain will relegate most activities to one side of the body (lefthanded / right handed), and because of this the brain will develop a certain way.  It is thought that this mightfactor into right brain / left brain development; meaning, the more you use an appendage, the more developed the related brain tissue becomes.  So if you’re right handed, start doing everything with your left.  This includes opening doors, brushing your teeth, picking things up, and all of your other daily activities.  If you’re feeling particularly adventurous you might even want to begin training yourself to write with the opposite hand or sticking your computer mouse on the left side of the keyboard for a change.

There are a wealth of different brain building puzzles andgames out there on the net for you to enjoy. Puzzles like crosswords, sodoku, word scrambles and others are good forstaying sharp.  Video games can also be excellent brain builders.  They develop hand eye coordination and will often force you to come up with creative solutions to problems within a 3 dimensional world.  Just don’t get stuck with repeating the sam eactions over and over again; in order to gain benefits from video games you’llneed a fair amount of variety on a consistent basis.

The concept of Neurobics is a relatively new way of lookingat mental development.  By incorporating stimulation of the five senses, unusual routines and brain building puzzles into one system it is possible to foster additional neural growth.

Here are some examples:

1: Surround yourself with various aromas. Certain smells can trigger memories and emotions.
2: Try showering in the dark (safety first of course!).  This can help you to develop a more refined sense of touch.
3: Change your attire.  The sensations produced by the fabric as well as the way it hugs your frame can promote different thought formation.
4: Find new ways to get from point A to point B during your daily commute and travels.
5: Put yourself in a new environment.

Developing your mind should be a journey,  and not a specific destination.  The brain is not static, it thrives on constant stimulation; what you’re really accumulating every day are experiences.  These experiences will forge new connections and stimulate new neural growth.  You don’t have to engage in a rigorous braintraining regimen in order to get results, just changing the way you do everyday activities can make a big difference.  In fact, just by taking the initiative to get started you’re already promoting new growth.

Sources and more reading resources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21472092
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21472819
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21472781
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21471400