Are you wondering what you should suggest to your teens as a hobby? These hobbies will make your teens smarter.
For centuries, it has been a common belief that a person is either blessed with smartness, intelligence, and talents or devoid of those qualities. The idea was that once you are born with a certain level of intelligence, the best thing to do for you is to live up to that potential.
Science and technology have come a long way since then, and the current research proves that it is possible to increase the mind’s potential and have a lot of fun.
Here are the seven hobbies for teens which will make them smarter quickly.
1. Playing Musical Instruments
Scientific research suggests that learning to play musical instruments increases the volume of gray matter and strengthens the neural connections between the brain’s two hemispheres.
Musical training makes people better at solving mathematical problems and calculating linear math problems. Besides, your communication skills, imagination, and observatory powers are heightened by this training.
You might feel that sports have that same effect. But where musical instruments surpass all others, it gives strength to a part of the brain known as the corpus callosum.
Corpus callosum is the connecting factor between the two brain hemispheres. Encourage your kids to learn to play a musical instrument.
2. Learning New Languages
Your teens might have spent the whole day solving complex Sudoku puzzles but have they ever thought of learning a new language?
If they have yet to try learning a new language, then encourage them now. Studies have shown that the ones who speak more than a single language are better at handling puzzles when compared to the ones who are only fluent in one language.
Learning new languages allows the brain to perform functions like problem-solving and planning. There is another plus to this: knowing more than one language also looks great on a resume!
3. Playing Video Games
The common notion that people have is that playing video games is bad for teens and children.
But some video games can turn out to be great for their brain. The point to remember in this regard is to know which games are great for your teens.
Scientific research shows that hand-eye coordination is improved remarkably while playing video games, which is helpful in the later stages of life.
Video games also contribute to the decision-making skills of an individual. Pick proper games for your teens, and do not gravitate toward those all about gore and violence.
4. Variety in Reading
From the New York Times bestsellers to classic comic books, encourage them to read various things.
Reading helps in increasing brain functions by creating new neural pathways. The neural pathways let one absorb further information.
Some research shows that those capable of speed reading have better synapses. Synapses are the electrical connections between the brain’s regions that improve a teenager’s reflexes and quick-thinking abilities.
5. Regular Exercising
Exercising is not just great for the human body but also for the mind. Exercises produce the protein named BDNF in the blood. The blood travels in the brain, letting the brain cells absorb this protein.
This protein helps in the increase of memory and focus. Your teens do not need to exercise rigorously to make their brains work faster and wiser.
Just encourage them to go for simple jogging, walking, or cycling regularly. They can also take up hobbies like swimming or tennis. In no time, they will see the difference in themselves.
Related: Habits of Healthy Living That You Should Develop Quickly
6. Brain Workouts
Take up the activities that keep the mind sharp, like crosswords, mystery games, video games, riddles, etc.
The function performed by these activities is known as neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to organize itself.
The nerve cells will respond in various ways by taking up multiple actions. Your teens will see things from several points of view and have a better connection between behaviors and emotions.
7. Meditations
The perks of meditation have been known and accepted since times immemorial. Meditation allows your teens to be in better control of the way they think.
The benefits include better concentration, focusing abilities, and a good memory. Start encouraging your teens to meditate from a younger age; the habit will stay with them for life.
Picking From These Hobbies for Teens
The hobbies to take up are many, but the fact is that you need to select something that is interesting and entertaining to your teens.
The hobby that makes your teens bright and keeps them entertained is the one that will stay with them for life. Building such habits at a young age is beneficial as they stay with them for a long time. If done rightly, a good hobby will show its effects in just a month.
Do you want to suggest any hobbies for teens? Leave it in the comment section.
Additional Resources:
Reading is a good habit. Thanks for the efforts. I loved this article.
Thanks Suraj for reading the post. I’m glad that you consider reading is a good habit.