Move. According to research from The Franklin Institute, all types of movement and motor tasks make a measurable impact on how the brain functions and how we learn. They increase motor control, eye coordination, balance, perspective taking and other skills that help to form mental connections and increase intelligence.
Eat a nutritious diet that includes vitamin B-12, iron and anti-oxidants. They improve brain function. Anti-oxidants are in foods such as strawberries, blueberries and spinach. Vitamin B-12 is in fish, salmon, mollusks, beef and most other meats. Yogurt and eggs also contain vitamin B-12. Iron can be found in fish, nuts, grains, fruits and vegetables, as well as some meats.
Drink plenty of water. As little as a 2-percent dehydration level can result in dehydration and a decrease in mental functions, according to the National Institutes of Health. MayoClinic.com states that it typically takes about eight 8-oz. glasses of water each day to replace lost fluids. All fluids count toward that replacement, it adds, even if they are not pure water.
Practice memory skills. Participate in a variety of memory skills, such as working crossword puzzles, memorizing music, following a recipe for which you have to remember steps and ingredients while cooking, and even playing games that require memory. Research on the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences' site shows that practice with tasks that improve working memory skills makes a measurable impact on intelligence test scores, even if the tasks are very different from those on an intelligence test.