How to Increase your IQ

Hi Pretty Plonkers. Oh I know, its been a while since I've posted.  I've been soopa busy....no fekkin excuse though...


Wanna increase your IQ?  

Should you want to increase your IQ score on these scales, take a look at the following nine useful guidelines…

1.  Learn

Genetics aside, education, in particular formal scientific study such as mathematics and physics, is a big factor contributing to your IQ. Sciences increase your understanding of the world, which in turn improves comprehension, vocabulary, spatial and mathematical abilities, and logic.

Watch and observe things carefully, and with concentration, to open your mind to new ideas, human behaviour, beauty, etc.

2.  Do logic and lateral thinking puzzles

Logic and lateral thinking puzzles such as cryptic crosswords, chess and Sudoku help your brain think outside the box and solve problems in different ways. Try puzzles that involve memory, speed, or vocabulary. Turn off the TV and put your mind to work instead!

3.  Listen to classical music

The Mozart effect suggests that, by listening to classical music, a short-term improvement is induced on the performance of certain tasks. Gradually, this may have a somewhat long-term effect.

4.  Sleep

In order to store information into the long-term memory, and to help keep your brain and concentration in peak condition, you need to get enough sleep – around eight hours. It is a proven fact that sleeping longer stores more information into the long-term memory.

5.  Read!

Reading enhances the mind's ability to comprehend, as well as encourages you to think critically. Reading different genres is important. This might include well-researched articles, newspapers, current events magazines, and multi-content periodicals (such as the New Yorker). Make sure the material corresponds to your reading level.

Whilst reading, look up unfamiliar words in your dictionary, and try to remember the definition.

6.  Write

Write whenever possible. Send a note instead of an email, or write a draft of a paper (or an outline). It will increase visual and kinaesthetic stimulation.

Try writing with your non-dominant hand. There is a theory that writing with your non-dominant hand can lead to stimulation of the side of the brain opposite to that hand. Writing with your non-dominant hand can, in fact, lead to stimulation of the side of the brain that is opposite to that hand. Bear in mind that this is only a theory.

7.  Meditate

Meditation has been shown to improve blood flow to the brain, patience, concentration, and memory. Try different meditation techniques to find one that suits and benefits you.

8.  Exercise

You need to keep your body fit in order to keep your brain in peak condition. Studies show that breath correlates to attention span. Try swimming, running, or any other aerobic exercise. Get your heart racing and work up a sweat for at least 30 minutes a day.

9.  Eat healthily.
Eat a wholefood diet. Avoid processed and fast foods. Eat ‘brain foods’ such as whole grains, oily fish or flax, red or blue berries, nuts especially walnuts, cocoa, etc.

Product Review : Ideal Flawless CC Cream by Avon

Product Review : Ideal Flawless CC Cream by Avon

#ThrowbackThursday

I couldn't stop laughing when I came across some of these old photos.  I thought I'd have to share them for #ThowbackThursday

I'm the one in the lemon and white striped sun dress (the ginger with the crooked fringe - my mum used to cut it)

I'm the ginger at the punch bowl in the green dress

When Megan was 11 months old - our camping road trip through Namibia

7 year old me at my Aunty's wedding

5 year old ginger me, my big sister and my ginger mum

 

Welcome July!

I actually can't believe that we've slithered into July without a wink. 

I'm pretty convinced that the older you get, the quicker time slides by. 

Scientists have theories, of course, and one of them is that when you experience something for the very first time, more details, more information gets stored in your memory. Think about your first kiss.  

Neuroscientists say that since the touch of the lips, the excitement, the taste, the smell, everything about this moment is novel, you aren't embroidering a bank of previous experiences, you are starting fresh. Have you noticed, he says, that when you recall your first kisses, early birthdays, your earliest summer vacations, they seem to be in slow motion? 

I know when I look back on a childhood summer, it seems to have lasted yonks.  That's because when it's the "first", there are so many things to remember. The list of encoded memories are so dense, reading them back gives you a feeling that they must have taken forever. 

But that's an sneaky illusion. 

The more memory you have of something, you think, 'Shite, that really took a long time!'

Well, we are more than half way through 2014 already and its seems to have whizzed by in a fleeting flash.

I don't want to wish my life away, but I can't wait until the summer returns.  The sunshine and warm weather is calling me.

In the meantime enjoy the rest of the winter - I know I won't.  

I'm a grumpy bitch until at least mid September, when I eventually thaw out and my nipples don't poke holes in my t-shirts.

Don't forget to go enter my Caption Competition.  Two tickets for DSTV Kids Extravaganza up for grabs!