Meditation and mindfulness can improve your IQ

Meditation and mindfulness are practices that have gained popularity in recent years due to their ability to improve people's mental and emotional health. However, what may not be known is that these practices can also improve a person's IQ.

Intelligence quotient (IQ) is a measure used to assess a person's cognitive ability. IQ is based on the ability to solve problems, think abstractly, understand complex ideas, and learn quickly. Although genetics have been shown to play a role in IQ, there are many other things that can positively affect your level of intelligence, including meditation and mindfulness.

Meditation is a practice that involves concentrating on an object, a word, or an image with the aim of improving attention and reducing stress. In meditation, the person tries to be present in the moment, freeing the mind from unnecessary thoughts and distractions. This can improve concentration and memory, which can help improve IQ.

Several studies have found that meditation can improve short-term memory, attention span, and academic performance. In a University of California study, students who meditated for a four-week period improved their math and reading test scores compared to students who did not meditate.

Mindfulness is another practice that can improve IQ. Mindfulness involves being present in the moment, paying attention to sensations, emotions, and thoughts without judging them. Like meditation, mindfulness can help reduce stress and improve concentration and memory.

A study published in the journal Consciousness and Cognition found that mindfulness can improve information processing ability and creativity. In this study, participants who practiced mindfulness over a two-week period demonstrated improved creative problem-solving ability and greater cognitive flexibility.

In addition to improving your IQ, meditation and mindfulness can also improve emotional intelligence, which is the ability to recognize and manage your own emotions and those of others. Emotional intelligence is an important skill that can improve the quality of personal and professional relationships, which in turn can improve overall performance and happiness.

In conclusion, meditation and mindfulness are practices that can improve people's mental and emotional health. However, they can also improve IQ by improving attention span, memory, and information processing ability. If you want to improve your IQ, consider including meditation and mindfulness in your daily routine.