Hobbies that Make You Smarter

9. Socialize

The introverts among us might not like it, but the science is pretty conclusive in this area: socializing makes you smarter. Compared to people who avoid social interactions, people who regularly interact with others have a better working memory, identify patterns faster and more accurately, and have stronger measures of emotional and fluid intelligence. This doesn't mean you have to party every night or hang with friends every day -- quiet and introspective time also has its benefits. But the back-and-forth of meaningful conversation, the attempt to understand where someone else is coming from, and the emotional investment of important relationships, all come together to create brain activity and strengthen neural connections. Socializing hobbies that make you smarter might include girls' or boys' nights out, clubs, church groups, professional organizations, or simply movie nights with friends. However you go about it, socializing can boost your smarts at every stage of life.