Intellectual Barriers
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By :
Xander Hamilton-Reeves
Submitted
2009-08-20 16:11:17 |
There are many intellectual barriers including genetic and environmental factors. We can not change your genetic make up but maybe we can highlight some things you must avoid to achieve maximum intellectual potential.
If knowledge is power and power is money, then the quest for a higher level of intellectual aptitude might also bring about an increase in both respect and fortune.
Overcome the intellectual obstacles that can hold back your potential.
10 Intellectual Barriers To Avoid
1. Sleep
Or should we say lack of sleep? The brain's need for rest and the body's need for repair means we need a certain amount of sleep to function at our full capacity (in particular R.E.M sleep - the deep comatose like state in which our body receives the most physical benefit).
Every human being is different and has their own unique requirement for sleep, some people need only 6-7 hours to perform at a normal capacity and some individuals need upwards of 9 hours sleep.
Sometimes discipline is required to set ourselves an early bedtime and sometimes we have little control over the noise, temperature and outside factors that obstruct us from reaching our maximum rest possible.
The Solution? - Control as many of the factors as you can, go to bed earlier, if you must then get earplugs and/or a night mask and anything you can to allow your body the pure rest that it needs.
2. Inadequate Nutrition
The brain needs nourishment and not just any foods will do if you want to get 100% use out of your mind. The brain needs omega 3 fatty acids from flax seeds and fish, low glycemic carbohydrates from high fiber sources such as whole grains, fruit and vegetable, as well as short and long term release proteins including all essential amino acids.
Vitamins, minerals, hydration and electrolyte balance are all important factors in optimal mental ability.
Stay away from sugar spiking carbs such as malt(maltose), table sugar(sucrose), refined sugars(glucose) and any white flour based foods. Saturated fats are also a inhibitor of performance.
Eat well to achieve peak performance and avoid the junk
3. Inadequate Hydration
If you don't have the adequate level of hydration your body needs then you can't reach your maximum level of cerebral capability end of story.
When the blood lacks water it starts to thicken causing impaired thinking and often leads to dehydration headaches. Always drink a minimum of eight glasses of water per day, plus 3 glasses for every half hour of exercise.
4. Stress
Stress can cause the release of the hormones norepinethrine and cortisol preventing peak mental agility.
It happens often when contestants on quiz shows forget vital information they otherwise would have remembered under less stressful conditions. There are ways to cope with stress in a better manner thus mitigating the brain draining effects that stress can have.
To think at your highest level you must have calm and relaxation this is why people often get their best ideas in bed before sleep.
The Solution? - Be safe, secure and relaxed to accomplish a heightened IQ .
5. Television
Learning's biggest enemy the T.V is draining brains across the globe so to fight the dumbing down we need to be judicious with the off button on the remote.
It's easy to slip into a routine of daily brainwashing but why not fight the temptation and read a book or a more scholarly pursuit. If worst comes to worst watch a documentary or something of some educational value and try to leave the garbage for those who want to devolve not evolve.
Some T.V from time to time is fine, just don't spend 6 hours a night going from bright to dim because "a mind is a beautiful thing to waste.
6. Vices
In particular the vices of drugs and alcohol that destroy good living brain cells in the search of escaping the realty of life instead of braving it. It's literally a no-brainer.....destroyed brain cells = destroyed potential.
7. Personal Environment
The personal world you create for yourself has a lasting effect on your IQ, whether you have a quiet home, a home library and a thirst for knowledge or a loud, T.V dominated hedonistic lifestyle - the IQ you have is dependent on the environment you create for yourself.
Take control of your life and have a good look at the home you have created for you and your family, think about ways to maximize the learning potential of your household and you may set in place a positive pattern for the future.
8. Restrictive Beliefs
Do you belong to a faith? - Have you ever questioned why you believe what you do? - Have you considered other faiths? - Does your religion decide how you think and what you may think.
The role of religion plays an important anchor in many peoples lives but unfortunately it can result in create flock-like mentalities among some people(not everyone!).
Some people judge and critique solely on the basis of principles that they have never questioned nor challenged and therefore never reach critical aptitude because they lack the ability to see other points of view.
Kudos to everyone who asks the questions and demands adequate answers to satisfy their inquisitions and even if you challenge your faith in order to find deeper meaning in it then you do yourself a service and increase your potential for knowledge.
Religion is not bad, no, not at all only the promotion of ignorance is bad and as ignorance is the enemy of education, it must be an ultimate intellectual barrier.
9. Attitude
An ignorant attitude creates a festering breading ground for racism, sexism and socially restrictive thinking. A positive open mind can create beautiful works of art, deliver valuable ideas and create happiness.
Attitudes and IQ go hand in hand, so if your goal is to increase your intelligence quotient then having a free and open mind is an absolute must.
Choose your path and do so wisely for ignorance also begets unhappiness.
The Solution? - be positive, take in many opinions, resist generalizations and seek to open your mind up to new ideas and possibilities.
10. Lack Of Use
The brain needs to be used and used often. Without constant challenges your mind functions at a lower capacity, so the use it or lose it rule applies heavily to our minds.
Mental agility can be achieved with puzzles, tactical games and brain training systems, these are invaluable in working the mind muscle to keep us sharp and alert.
So always give yourself something intellective to tackle and you will reap the benefits both now and in the future.
In Conclusion
The acquisition and maintenance of a healthy and high IQ is not easy for those who are not gifted, however with work and persistence anyone can break down intellectual barriers and rise to high levels of intellectual achievement.
Intellectual Barriers By Xander Hamilton-Reeves
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intellectual barriers
intellectual obstacles
intellectual potential
intellectual aptitude
IQ
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