6 unusual habits that indicate a high level of intellect

Euripides, one of Ancient Greece’s greatest thinkers and writers, once dropped a gem that I often come back to. For real, it perfectly sums up the real essence of intelligence.

“We pay a high price for intelligence. Wisdom hurts,” said Euripides.

And let’s be real, ain’t that the hard truth?

Intelligence isn’t just about acing  those pub quizzes or solving college-level algebra equations at lightning speed. It’s about diving deep into the ocean of knowledge.

It also isn’t just about knowing stuff—it’s about feeling it, too. This can mean navigating the twists and turns of human relationships, making mistakes, and inturn, learning from them. 

While Euripides basically tells us intelligence can come at a high price, for me, it’s worth remembering that smarts can be nurtured through positive habits and rituals, too.

Cultivating intelligence through practices like mindfulness or fun visual memorization can help build a deeper understanding of oneself and others without undergoing huge amounts of hardship.

Let’s unpack some of these, starting with my personal favorite: culinary exploration.

1) Exploring cultures through gastronomic adventures

Do you, like me, consider yourself a bit of a foodie? If the answer is a mouth-watering yes, then there’s a high chance you’re a bit of a genius.

Of course, food is great for nourishment. Ensuring we get enough vitamins and minerals to keep us in fine form is key! But for foodies, it tends to go way, way beyond this…

Often, people with a high intellect will embark on a culinary journey that goes beyond mere sustenance.

This isn’t your average, everyday diner. I’m talking about someone with a sharp mind, a hunger for knowledge, and a curiosity that knows no limitations.

To me, what makes these especially smart folks stand out is their unique perspective on food. 

Rather than seeing meals as a basic need, they view them as throughways into the diverse cultures, histories, and sciences of the world around them.

Each dish they encounter tells a colorful tale—a story of migration, innovation, or tradition.

Consider sambal, for example. Originating in Malaysia, this fiery condiment has traveled far and wide, leaving its indelible mark on cuisines across the world.

In some senses, sambal’s journey reveals the interconnectedness of human civilizations. 

By exploring dishes that feature this unique little ingredient, our culinary adventurer not only works their taste buds but also uncovers the migratory, cultural threads that bind us.

But it’s not just about the ingredients, no way, it’s all about the process too! 

Smart eaters aren’t afraid to experiment with unconventional recipes and techniques, pushing the boundaries of taste and texture. 

Whether they’re fermenting sauerkraut, pickling forest mushrooms, or mastering a kombucha brew, they approach food through an almost scientific lens, always seeking to learn more and learn well (and of course, eat well!).

This kind of thinking showcases a more overarching view of intelligence—one that embraces not just the mind, but the senses too.

2) Actively seeking viewpoints opposite to one’s own, ushering in criticism in the name of growth

With intelligently embracing culture comes taking on viewpoints different to your own—sometimes vastly different viewpoints.

For me, the people who make a habit of refusing to stay within the cozy confines of their own beliefs are incredibly sharp people.

When faced with an argument contradicting their beliefs, these people don’t back away into the shadows.  

Instead, they lean right in, eager to grasp the opposing perspective even if they don’t necessarily agree with it.

Rather than dismissing them outright—yep, even some of the, erm, problematic opinions out there—these individuals listen up, diving deep for insights and ideas that might challenge their preconceptions.

Through constructive criticism, feedback, and engagement, they are better able to peel back blind spots in their thinking and discover new paths for intellectual growth.

It’s in this way that I think real intelligence ties in with humility, too.

No matter how smart a person is, I believe that they need to healthily acknowledge that they don’t have all the answers in the world. Because let’s face it—this just isn’t humanly possible!

So, by seeking out opposing viewpoints, they actively recognize the limitations of their perspective and open themselves to fresh possibilities.

3) Nurturing a deep relationship with the subconscious mind using techniques such as meditation or visualization

Another habit of super smart people comes down to the way they tap into their subconscious.

Now, I’m not talking about some highly technical otherworldly stuff like Neo in The Matrix, more so, I mean they make a real habit of tools like visualization.

So, what might this look like? 

Say a person is super stressed out or anxious, instead of doing what the majority of us would naturally do as human beings, and give into this anxiety, this person takes a moment to visualize themselves handling the whole situation with confidence and a clear head. 

Through visualization, they are basically preparing their subconscious to manifest the outcome that they really, really want to achieve.

Meditation also nicely ties into this habit, as well. 

True meditation isn’t just about finding peace—it’s about quieting the noise of life and tapping right into your subconscious mind.

In that state of deep relaxation, the mind is freed up to explore new ideas and unravel mysteries.

4) Using meta-mnemonic techniques to boost cognition and creativity

Okay “mnemonic” is going to be the largest word I use in this piece—I promise!

Meta-mnemonic patterns are a series of mental shortcuts that all help to make us super-rememberers. Nice, huh?

They construct vibrant mental landscapes where ideas intertwine and thrive.

Basically, this isn’t about taking in information passively, but transforming it into something tangible and practical.

For example, if a person is studying the heart’s structure, they don’t simply memorize regions and functions.

Instead, they envision exploring a big old city library, with each section representing a different part of the brain.

As they navigate through the many shelves and light-filled reading rooms, they not only can recall the information but also gain a deeper understanding of its interconnectedness.

Yep, it’s some Sherlock Holmes level stuff!

All in all, these meta-mnemonic patterns also foster more creative thinking and problem-solving.

5) Embracing unconventional methods like laughter yoga for rejuvenation

People who are sharp and savvy know the importance of cultivating a healthy set of habits and rituals.

Think of a person who is constantly stretching the limits of their mind, delving into complex equations and grappling with abstract creative concepts.

In this state, their mental gears are always turning, processing information quickly. But even the sharpest minds need a pause to reset. It’s true.

Enter unconventional relaxation techniques—these offer a blend of rejuvenation and mental clarity that traditional methods often leave out. 

One example of these techniques includes forest bathing, a Japanese practice you might have heard in recent years.

This tried-and-tested method, which has grown in popularity, is all about immersing yourself in nature.

It’s about soaking up the forest’s sights, sounds, and scents, letting nature’s tranquility wash right over you.

So, why do highly intelligent folks embrace unconventional practices like this?

Well, by deeply relaxing, they not only recharge but also deepen self-awareness and resilience.

Remember, sometimes the road less traveled leads to profound insights in nurturing the intellect.

6) Harnessing lucid dreaming for problem-solving and creativity

I know I mentioned I would only be using one big word in this one, but “lucid” ain’t that bad, surely?

Okay, so what exactly is lucid learning? It’s the habit of using lucid dreaming to make your brain sharper.

It’s when you realize you’re dreaming and use that awareness to solve problems or be creative. Incredible, huh?

I know it sounds like some Christopher Nolan-level plot twist, but anyone can do it.

In your dreams, you can change things around and find solutions easily. 

It’s not just about solving problems, but also about being creative and mixing reality with imagination.

Unlike regular learning, lucid learning lets you do whatever you want in your dreams, without limits. 

With practice, anyone—and not just highly intelligent folks—can get better at it and unlock their mind’s full potential. 

So, why not give it a try next time you’re dozing away?