While some people overestimate their intelligence, others are way smarter but don't believe in their own brilliance. In fact, the most intelligent people see themselves as if they know nothing and sometimes find it unbelievable when complimented about it.

Though there are many factors involved in intelligence, such as genes and exposure, we can increase our intelligence regardless of our IQ score. If you're already doing some of the things on this checklist, then you're probably one of the smart ones. But if you think you don't know enough, it's best to keep reading as well.

Play Us Some Tunes

Although researchers are still digging deeper to see the correlation between music and brain activity, they've found out that those who took music lessons perform better in IQ tests. Research also shows that music help kids' minds develop, according to a 2004 study led by Glenn Schellenberg.

There are so many other researches that back this up, so if you have a kid and want them to be of sharp mind, it is advisable to introduce them to music early, at least at the age of four. Adults, too, can benefit from learning how to play an instrument!

Congrats On Being The Oldest Child

If we're being realistic, first kids are usually saddled with more responsibilities than their siblings, and they also have to set a good example for their young ones. The intelligence of older siblings is not about genetics, though; it's because of the psychological interplay of parents and children.

All that is according to Norwegian epidemiologist research and a report published by The New York Times in June 2007. Though it doesn't necessarily mean that every first child will have higher intelligence than their siblings, it's just that the chances are higher compared to others.

Stay In Shape, Darling

There are so many benefits of keeping fit as you well know. Apart from preserving muscle strength, maintaining a healthy body weight, keeping your heart strong, and staving off chronic diseases, exercising can also boost your thinking skills.

Studies have shown that lower BMI is also one of the indicators of intelligence. Also, many researchers have suggested that the parts of the brain that has to do with memory and thinking are larger in volume in people who work out than in people who don't. So if you want your increase your intelligence or that of your kids, you should get to work.

Cat Owners Are Paw-some!

In 2014, a study of 600 college students found that those who own dogs are more outgoing than those who have cats. This shows that cat people are more introverted and have above-average intelligence. Even when a test that measures cognitive ability was carried out, the cat lovers were found to be more intellectually curious and intellectually speaking, hence, scoring highest.

According to Steve McKeown, those who prefer cats as pets are mostly non-conformists. They are known to stand up for their belief despite whatever anyone thinks, perhaps mirroring the independence for which cats are known.

Left-Handed Folks Are Right Right On Track

Researches have shown that left-handed people are prone to divergent thinking or thinking creatively to solve tasks and problems. People who use left hands are often more inventive and are said to know how to get out of difficult situations than their counterparts.

As the world is more of right-handed people, lefties tend to see the world differently. Evidence of this can be seen in famous great minds who are lefties such as philosopher Aristotle, former president Barack Obama, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Renaissance artist Leonardo DaVinci and so many more.

A Tall Order

Many people won't believe this, but studies have shown that height plays a factor in intelligence. Unbelievable, right? However, some studies show that a child's height before starting school might just be an essential indicator.

It was said that taller kids tend to have better scores in cognitive tests. Though this doesn't automatically translate into being smarter, it's an interesting observation. While some believe this is because height is related to better nutrition, in turn improving IQ, others think it's the gene factor and that intelligence and height result from genes.

No Need To Cure Curiosity

This one shouldn't even be argued. The more curious you get, the more you research, the more you learn and know. It's as simple as that. Inquisitive people are not satisfied with the status quo; they want to know everything they can, and they like to ask questions about everything and anything.

The mind is stimulated when new things are learned, and the brain is put to work. Curious minds look for surprises and search out new ideas. Also, it is said that students who are curious often do better than their counterparts.

Being An Avid Reader Is Lit

Here's another no-brainer. When you grow up reading books, and you're tagged as a bookworm, naturally, you'll have good problem-solving skills and a vivid imagination. Children who read also tend to have a better and broader vocabulary than an average child.

When you are a voracious reader, your view of the world is expanded, and you know much more than is happening within your immediate surrounding. You also get to see things from a different angle, which contributes to intelligence. Many of the world's most successful people, such as Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates, testified to the power of reading.

Highly Anxious But At Smart, At Least

You could say this is a downside to being an intelligent individual. When your IQ is high, your anxiety levels can also be higher than most people's. The reason is that brilliant people tend to have an expansive mind, and they look at things closely, seeing all the possible outcomes, both the negative and positive.

These people worry about any and everything, leading to higher levels of activity in parts of the brain that helps with the communication to other regions. Though excessive anxiousness is generally not good for us, it can show that you're smart.

Love That Good Sense Of Humor

This one is also not so surprising because it's not easy to make a room full of people laugh. It shows such a person is very much aware of their surroundings and can read the room. They are great storytellers that capture the attention of an audience while everyone is riveted.

Not everyone can be humorous, and it is said that only those with high levels of intelligence can pull this off. A study was carried out some time ago, and students were asked to caption some cartoons on the New Yorker. It wasn't surprising that the funniest captions belonged to those with higher IQs!

Keep 'Em Minds Busy

When you're often curious, you're keeping your mind stimulated. With a lot of questions and theories going on in their heads, smart people research and end up acquiring more knowledge. As you know, it doesn't end there, the cycle goes on and on, and they keep gaining more learning. They are seldom idle, and there's always something on their minds.

According to a professor at the University of London, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, the sharp ones have a hungry mind that makes them more inquisitive. Therefore, if you have a child who's always thinking and asking questions at all times, it's safe to say that they are bright.

Don't Apologize For Your Messy Space

According to a University of Minnesota research, the messier you are, the brighter you tend to be. Surprised? Well, Kathleen Vohs carried out a study between two sets of people using ping pong balls, and it was found that the set who worked in a cluttered environment was more creative and had interesting ideas compared to the other group.

People often think messy people are just lethargic, not knowing there's actually more to it. What do we feel about this? Well, we suppose smart people are usually too busy working on more important things than cleaning up.

No Such Thing As Luck

While many people may think intelligent people are lucky, they often don't believe there's such thing as luck. They don't wait around for fortune to happen to them, but rather, they believe proper planning, preparation, and hard work bring about results.

The old saying that "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" is what they make use of. They believe in going out there and achieving the breakthrough they want instead of waiting for things to happen. More than anything, they believe only in their innovative thinking and mind logic to make things happen. And more often than not, it works for them.

Breastfeeding Is The Way To Go

Were you breastfed as a child? Then congratulations, you're among the smart ones with an IQ of seven or more points above those who weren't. Scientists have found in their research that this is true only for children who possess a specific type of gene called the FADS2 gene.

However, the exact agent linking this gene and breastfeeding is unknown. Studies have shown that babies who were breastfed for a year, at least, grow up to be intelligent adults and earn more money than their counterparts. If you want your kids to be sharp, then you know what to do.

Welcome All Night Owls

Many people associate sleeping with laziness but did you know that most intelligent people are more active at night than during the day? Some people find it easier to work in the evening and sleep during the daytime because fewer distractions come at night. While others have their lights out, that is when they will be awake and active.

Researchers at the University of Liege in Belgium in 2009 found evening folks tend to be mentally alert for longer parts of the day than the morning ones. Another research also contributed to that by showing that night owls are more creative than their counterparts.

It's Not That We're Lazy...

Yes, we know that productivity is often considered a moral virtue in today's world, and we are not ruling that out. However, there are behaviors that we deem as laziness which researchers have proven to be actual signs of intelligence.

Everything relates to what we've been saying since the beginning of this article. If you're seen as too lazy to tidy up the clutter on your desk, you don't do your assignments till it's nighttime, or you just find that you prefer lazing around alone than being social, then you may have high intelligence.

It's All About Focus

Although some have argued that intelligent people are more easily distracted at work, they also tend to be very focused if they really want to. Remember that they hardly depend on luck and chances? So they put in the work and dedication to achieve whatever it is that they want.

It is also said that people with high IQ can focus on multiple things at once. According to Frank Zhu, if you are among those that can tune out distractions and focus for long spells at a time, then you're a highly intellectual being.

We Don't Know

Nobody knows everything, not even the famous geniuses. People with heightened intellect know this and accept it. Instead of claiming to know all, they ask questions and carry out research, which adds to what they know. They are not ashamed of what they don't know and don't let it get in the way of learning.

Jim Winer, an expert, once said that intelligent folks are often not afraid to say they don't know because they can learn it. That's a good thing because this is how so many researches and discoveries came to be.

Love The Sound Of Silence

Though there are exceptions, there's something many intelligent people have in common—they are introverts. According to studies, introversion is strongly related to intelligence for its calculative and analytical nature. Introverts are often not prone to impulsiveness, unlike extroverts, so they may display fewer errors while carrying out a memory task.

Silent people are also considered astute because they are more observant and therefore assess situations and figure out the best things to do. Another thing to note is that smart people are mostly always contemplating things internally or thinking about one thing or the other.

Challenges Are A Breeze

Intelligent people are always up for challenges and puzzles because learning new things and sharing ideas are right up their alley. They use unusual methods and think outside the box, all in a bid to solve enigmas. They find ways to solve whatever problem they are facing just so they can move on to other ones.

When they're on a team, and others are seeing impossibilities and dead-ends, they only see something that they need to conquer. And oftentimes, they do because they don't approach problems with a fixed idea but rather look at it from multiple perspectives.

Birds Of The Same Feather...

A famous quote says that we are all the sum of the people we surround ourselves with, and in most cases, this is true. When you surround yourself with smart people, it tends to bring out the best in you, and you end up learning more.

Intelligent people often choose their friends wisely, and they mostly attract fellow smart folks, feeding off each other, thereby improving one another. There is also something that psychologists call the “bandwagon effect,” which comes to play when people with the same minds are together.

The Call Of Perfectionism

If you're one of those people who want things done to perfection, then you could be among the highly intelligent. Clever individuals tend to find problems and faults because they are very good at analyzing things. And so they usually find things not good enough and not up to standard just because it's not perfect.

However, all this often leads to low self-esteem, overworking, and unhappiness in some as they continuously strive for perfection. The good part of this trait is that they are never scared of trying, and this is usually overlooked when intelligence is being discussed.

We're Beginning To Question Ourselves

People who doubt themselves the most are smart ones. Yes, we know everyone struggles with self-doubt. Yet, these people focus more on what they do not know than what they do know. Therefore, they believe there's always room for improvement, questioning how everything works and how they can learn more.

The Dunning-Kruger effect analysis says that the more you know about a particular topic, the more you know that there's much more to know, and thereby you end up feeling like you know little. This is why smart people often question their own intelligence.

Keep Up With The News!

It's natural to want to be up-to-date with the happenings around you, and it's not surprising that people with high intelligence also like to be current about the state of the world. Not only does it enable them to figure out their next line of action, but it also helps them know their place in the world at that particular time.

As they're often well-versed in different angles of life, they usually need to update their knowledge and remain on top of their game. If you are not the type that follows news around you, you might want to start now.

Everything At Once

New studies have shown that intelligent people may not be able to multitask. As a matter of fact, it is said that multitasking could reduce your rate of productivity and efficiency. It is also believed to damage the brain. However, this is different from when a person knows their skills and capabilities and is able to put them to use.

Brilliant folks are almost always busy with one thing or the other. Even when they appear not to be doing anything, you can bet they're thinking of something. Their mind is constantly at work looking for solutions.

Who Says We're Smart?

Shakespeare once said that smart people often sell themselves short while unintelligent people overestimate themselves. It is the same thing that the Dunning-Kruger effect says. Most intelligent individuals do not talk about how smart they are, mainly because they do not think they are all that.

Therefore if you're not too confident about how smart you are, chances are you're pretty astute. Unlike an average person, an intelligent one knows their limitations. Even when they know something, there's still a lot to discover, and so, they think they barely know anything.

Brilliance Unplugged

There's been a lot of research about whether technology makes the human race smarter or dumber. As much as tech helps us to control our world more, it has been said that intellectuals use fewer electronic devices compared to an average person.

Brilliant minds understand that it is wise to limit the information they take in, so they use devices less frequently and have fewer of them. A study by Hewlett Packard revealed that the more information you receive and try to process, the less productive you become and the more distracted you are.

Fact You Must Know

As much as intelligent people are open-minded, they wouldn't take information at face value. They enjoy proving and getting to the bottom of things with their curious minds. They appreciate facts and therefore go to great lengths to get them, such as researching for days, analyzing, and talking to experts before finally reaching their conclusion.

These fellows are not impulsive and shallow. They instead go through the process of researching rather than saying something off the top of their heads that they are not sure about. If you find yourself in a debate with sharp-minded fellas, rest assured that they already did their assignment.

Gotta Love An Empathic Heart

There are different aspects to human intelligence, and it's not all about IQ. Emotional intelligence is at the center of intelligence, and it has to do with how we relate to other people. It is said that smart people are more empathetic. Those who show empathy are excellent leaders who can handle different people and put themselves in others' shoes.

Showing empathy involves caring about people, reading the room, and seeing things from a different perspective. A clever person can sense the body language of others, know when they're struggling or uncomfortable.

Children Of The Internet

In this generation, many people are exposed to the Internet, and there's a wide range of information available. The ability to use that information positively gives birth to more knowledge. At the click of a button, you access as much data and material as you need, expanding your world and having solutions to problems.

However, this doesn't mean that accessing the Internet makes everyone intelligent. Still, the ability to make use of the opportunities it offers, receive the correct information, and distinguish fact from fiction, is what makes smart people.

What A Worrywart!

Due to their searching minds, intelligent people worry a lot. Their minds often wander, searching for answers and clues, thereby getting anxious about little details. According to Slate's coverage of several studies on anxiety, individuals who worry a lot are more intelligent than their counterparts.

Another study of 126 students asked to fill a questionnaire indicating how often they worry showed that those who agonize more are the ones whose IQ test results were higher. This tendency to fret more also makes them work more thoroughly. Still, we don't recommend that you suddenly become a worrywart.

Kill All Distractions

According to research carried out by Steelcase on more than 10,000 employees across several countries, the most intelligent folks are those who find it difficult to focus. Employers mainly look for workers who can multitask. However, smart folks are more susceptible to distractions than the average person, so they often find it difficult to withstand multiple tasks at once.

Because of the high levels of brain activity, intelligent people often find it hard to continue working. It's worse in these days of modern technology where smartphones, browsers, inboxes, and other notifications can be distracting.

Start Walking Now

A study revealed a link between fitness and cognitive function, which improves memory, sharpness, reasoning, and judgment. It was found that even among the younger ones, cognitive performance drops as fitness levels are reduced.

It has also been said that people who live in pedestrian-oriented cities appear to be brighter than those who live in places where there are other options to get around. It might do you more good to take up walking as it not only improves your intelligence, but it also improves your chances of staying healthy.

Self Control Level: 1000

One of the most overlooked signs of high intelligence is having self-control. If you can exercise it by just willing it or by talking out loud to yourself, then you're one of the intelligent ones.

Yale University carried out a psychology test in 2009 by giving the participants IQ tests and offering them a certain amount of cash as a reward. They can receive it immediately or collect a higher amount later. It appeared that those with higher IQ had chosen to wait instead of giving in to the impulsive decision.

Pros At Procrastination

Research has shown that intelligent people tend to procrastinate a lot. It is said that such people are more laid back because they tend to do things faster than others, so they don't rush. One of the benefits of being intelligent is being able to start tasks later and finish right on time.

Adam Grant said that this habit of procrastinating is the key to innovation. He used Steve Jobs as an example, stating that the time he spent putting things off was time well spent as it leaves space for more divergent ideas to come to him instead of just going straight for the regular and familiar.

Sir Snack-A-Lot

Many have argued that the amount of calories taken is a result of energy used by the brain. It is said that a person who's intelligent and is actively thinking is expending energy in one way or the other. In order to recover and become more energized, food has to be consumed.

Since snacks are more readily available than actual food, these fellas tend to consume them more. It is also said that chewing gum can improve your brain activity and focus. The downside, however, is that it only goes on for about 20 minutes.

They're Possibly Vampires

Some evidence has suggested that high intelligence is associated with late sleep patterns. Research has shown that people who can control their circadian rhythm are intelligent. We're speaking of those who can regulate their sleep patterns and other psychological processes.

A study at the University of Southampton was conducted on students' sleep patterns. The study revealed that those who sleep late and wake up late tend to earn more than the early birds. Smart people's brains work more intensively; therefore, they get tired quickly as well. This shouldn't be a thing to worry about as you can easily recharge by taking power naps.

Fill Up On Those Creative Juices

Many associate creativity with arts. Studies, however, have proven that having lots of creative juices is a sign of intelligence. It's an essential type of intellect that drives people to discover new things, which is how innovations happen. Creativity can be found in every aspect of life, from unique home decorations to the freshest theories on cells.

Dr. Katie Davis also supports the notion that creativity shows intelligence because you have to be able to think with flexibility before you can artistically express yourself. Creative people look at the world differently, which explains their intelligence.

Not Crazy For Talking To Ourselves

Generally, it's typical for people to think you're crazy if they find you talking to yourself. No, you're not crazy; it's actually the opposite. Alexander Kirkham and Paloma Mari-Beffa are psychologists at Bangor University who studied this. They concluded that talking out loud to yourself improves self-control, which is a necessary form of intelligence.

Another study even revealed that the participants in the test who read the tasks out loud did better than the silent readers. This is probably why some professional athletes talk out loud to themselves during games.

Alone But Not Lonely

Intelligent people are very individualistic and enjoy keeping their own company. Studies have proven that there's a relationship between liking to be alone and intelligence. This probably has to do with the ability to think, plan, and prioritize better when you're on your own.

Some other studies also suggested that smart people find less satisfaction when socializing than other people. They don't have the urge to be around people as they are often contented just being alone. And when they do mix and mingle, they use solitude as a way of resetting themselves.

An Open Mind To Catch All The Facts

A study published by Yale says that brilliant people are often open-minded. They don't have their minds fixed and close on certain things and do not formulate opinions till they've considered various voices on the matter. They are willing to open themselves to new ideas and values with a broad mind.

According to psychologists, students who seek out alternative views are more likely to do better in intelligence tests and SATS than their counterparts. However, smart minds do not just accept things at face value until they're provided with convincing evidence.

Cheers To Being Adaptable And Flexible

The ability to adapt and thrive in different settings is another thing that shows how intelligent a person is. If they're in a situation they can't change, they often change themselves to fit in and cope effectively.

Donna Hammett says that highly intelligent individuals show what can be done despite restrictions or complications placed on them. They often figure out how to get past setbacks and resolve complex issues. If you're the type that can live under most circumstances and can take care of yourself in hostile situations, it's most likely that you're a clever one yourself.

Don't Take Drugs, Kids

In a 2012 study, it was revealed that children with a high IQ are most likely to use illegal substances when they're grown. James White, Catharine Gale, and David White are researchers who found that based on their large population-based study, 11 year-olds with a certain IQ have a greater likelihood of using specific illegal drugs after 31 years.

In their conclusion on the relationship between childhood IQ and future wellness, it was said that children with higher intelligence might adopt potentially harmful behavior. Examples of them are drug use and consumption of excess alcoholic beverages.

Not Creepers, Just Observant

One of the traits of brilliant people is that that they are very observant. They are not the ones you'll find talking loudly and drawing everybody's attention to themselves at all times. No! They're often those of the opposite.

They love observing and assessing instead of boasting about their achievements. The ability to observe gives them the chance to notice small details and subtle cues at presentations or anywhere else. They are able to identify patterns and respond tactfully. However, this is not to say all social butterflies are not intelligent.

No To Goldfish Memory

Although IQ is much more related to reasoning through problems and solving new issues than memorization, having a good memory often indicates high intelligence. A person who has a good memory can function well and focus in their environment. It also means that they have cognitive flexibility.

When you perform better on a task that involves working memory, you will likely function better on an intelligence task. Scientists have found a positive correlation between memory, both long-term and the working kind, and measures of intelligence. Just think about those with a photographic memory.

Go With The Flow

Like we all know, there's so much more to being bright than acing math or reciting facts. Another sign of being highly intelligent is not rigidly sticking to one thing, opinion, or cause. They are open-minded and are open to a change in views.

They can take on whatever comes their way, fix themselves up in new settings, and thrive despite complications or restrictions. They don't seal their mind off with what they already know or believe; they are open to new experiences and ideas. In turn, it allows their brains to provide solutions to any problem encountered.

Keeping Things Simple

According to one of Einstein's sayings, the goal of all theories is to make complex elements as simple as possible without misrepresentation. Some people may think that saying complicated things hardly understood by others or being eccentric is proof of smartness.

However, it has been proven that simplicity can actually be a sign of intelligence because it only means that you understand the subject so much that you're able to break it down. Steve Jobs also said that simple is tougher than complex because you have to work hard at tending your thinking to make things simpler.

Join The Self Awareness Club

Intelligent people are usually self-aware, and they often know what they need from their interaction with others. They are mindful of their defining characteristics as well as their weaknesses. And apart from that, they also have goals and desires that they work hard to reach.

Smart folks know what they're capable of doing and don't overestimate their skills. They have confidence in their beliefs and are secure in who they are. These fellows are great at balancing their feelings for their own good and that of others because they know who they are deep within.

With A Little Help

Truly astute people know their limits, and as previously mentioned, are oblivious to the fact that they are brilliant. Since they believe they don't know everything, they ask for help when needed. Smart individuals don't feel ashamed to ask what they do not know.

They are resourceful and don't claim to be a know-it-all, which is why they are smart because they are constantly reaching for the peak, acquiring more knowledge, and expanding their views. They don't believe what they know is enough. They don't waste precious time figuring out what they could quickly get help for.

Blue Eyes Blew Our Minds

A professor at the University of Louisville claimed that blue-eyed people are often more intellectually gifted than others. If we are to go by this, then it is indeed true for geniuses like Marie Curie, Stephen Hawking, Stephen Fry, Alexander Fleming, and Lily Cole.

Though the United States scientist found that brown-eyed people performed better at activities like rugby, hockey, and football, they concluded that those with lighter colored eyes are better strategic thinkers and can handle difficult situations. Therefore, they are said to be more intelligent and mostly have better results because they study more effectively.

Shut Up Already!

If you're sensitive to sound like floors creaking, chips crunching, and loud breathing you, then you're practically like an intelligent fellow. Science has proven that the inability to shut out sound can be linked to creativity and also the key to genius. Franz Kafka, Charles Darwin, and Anton Chekhov are great people who complained about too much noise.

Researchers at Northwestern University had 100 people tested to find out their ability to profer original solutions to problems with and without sound. A strong relationship was found between the inability to shut out irrelevant audio stimuli and creativity.

Good News For Those With Longer Ring Fingers

There's been a lot of scientific research linking finger ratio to IQ, athletism, and testosterone. One study suggests that if you're exposed to more male hormones in your mother's womb, you're likely to have a longer ring finger.

Karl Pinsk, a Norwegian physician, said that more could be known about a person's intelligence from the length of their fingers. According to him, the longer your ring finger, the more you're good at solving mathematical problems. Another study also claims that you're likely to earn more when your ring finger is lengthier than your index finger.

Be Proud Of That Potty Mouth

It may sound weird, but some researchers claim that people with dirty mouths tend to be of high intelligence. You would think the opposite is true, but what do we know?

Researchers from the University of Rochester carried out a study on 1,000 people using their everyday habits, from singing in the showers to cursing, and it was found that the ones with higher IQs are those who swear more. Go figure! Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that every foul-mouthed person is intelligent; it only says that most clever people are.

Blonde Jokes Are Out

Contrary to popular belief, science has revealed that people with blonde hair tend to have IQs higher than those with dark hair. The stereotype is not only wrong but not science-backed. Though the difference is almost negligible, it still nullifies the thinking that blonde people are dumber than brunettes, male and female alike.

The study, which came from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, was carried out on those between the ages of 14 and 21 years old. So if you're one of those who think blondes can't be witty, your judgment is faulty.