Some online courses can even be counted as credentials towards a degree at an accredited university.
Each TED talk is about 10-15 minutes long. There are also poetry, literature, historical, and scientific TED talks you can view.
Wordsmith, Vocab Vitamins, and Vocabsushi are other examples of daily vocabulary newsletters you can sign up for. There are also daily vocabulary apps you can download on your smartphone or tablet.
Download a crossword puzzle application to your smartphone to play one on the go or whenever you want. Scrabble is also a great game you can play with another person to challenge your vocabulary and add a little bit of competition. Download the Words with Friends application to your smartphone to play against friends or strangers anytime you want.
Brain-training apps can also help to increase the brain’s processing speed and help prevent the brain plaque build-ups that are associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Some brain-training apps are free, but others will charge a fee to download them or require a monthly subscription.
You can purchase a basic chess set from large chain stores like Target, Walmart, and Costco for about $15. You can also play chess online or on an app on your smartphone.
The more neurons you have and the healthier they are, the faster you can think and the better your memory will be, Develop a regular exercise routine to get into the habit. For example, you might set a goal of exercising on certain days of the week, or spending a certain amount of time exercising after work or school.
Consider joining a gym that offers aerobics classes. You can also purchase DVDs or use online classes to do aerobic exercises at home.
If you take regular classes at your gym, try taking a different class. If you lift weights often, switch it up with sprints.
Join a yoga studio for guided practice. Yoga still uses your muscles too, which increases blood flow and cognitive function. Headspace is a popular app you can download for guided meditations.
You don’t need to read an entire book a day. At least 15-20 minutes of continuous reading can give you the mental benefits you need to be more intelligent. Listening to audio books is a convenient way to read every day.
Fiction also improves your cognitive flexibility by mentally placing you in different situations and settings, allowing you to imagine how you would respond.
Don’t neglect your local news– it’s just as important to stay informed about what’s going on in your community as it is to learn about what’s going on in the broader world. Talk radio is a convenient way to absorb the day’s news.
