IQ武林秘籍：简单5式助你提高智力！

Many people like to read popular suspense fiction, but generally these books aren’t mentally stimulating. If you want to improve your thinking and writing ability you should read books that make you focus. Reading a classic novel can change your view of the world and will make you think in more precise, elegant English. Don’t be afraid to look up a word if you don’t know it, and don’t be afraid of dense passages. Take your time, re-read when necessary, and you’ll soon grow accustomed to the author’s style.
许多人喜欢看畅销的悬疑小说，但是通常这些书并不能开发智力。如果你想改善思维和写作能力，你应该读一读那些让你集中精力的书。阅读经典小说会改变你的世界观，会让你用更简洁、更优美的英语思维来思考。别担心，遇到不认识的生词就去查，也不要怕那些大段的文字。别着急慢慢来，必要的时候可以再读一次，这样你就会很快习惯作者的写作风格的。

Once you get used to reading challenging books, I think you’ll find that you aren’t tempted to go back to page-turners. The challenge of learning new ideas is far more exciting than any tacky suspense-thriller.
一旦你习惯了阅读具有挑战性的书，我想你会发现自己忍不住再回去翻看那些令人爱不释手的书。学习新思想所带来的挑战，比任何俗气的悬疑惊悚片要令人兴奋得多。

4. Early to Bed, Early to Rise
早睡早起

Nothing makes it harder to concentrate than sleep deprivation. You’ll be most rejuvenated if you go to bed early and don’t sleep more than 8 hours. If you stay up late and compensate by sleeping late, you’ll wake up lethargic and have trouble focusing. In my experience the early morning hours are the most tranquil and productive. Waking up early gives you more productive hours and maximizes your mental acuity all day.
没有什么比缺乏睡眠更难让人集中精力的了。如果你早点儿上床并且睡眠不超过8小时，你就能最大限度地恢复活力。如果你熬夜并通过睡懒觉来弥补，那么你起床的时候就会昏昏沉沉，很难集中精力。根据我的经验，清晨的几个小时是最安静、最富有成效的。早起让你拥有更多高效的时间，并且让你一整天保持最强的敏锐感。

If you have the opportunity, take 10-20 minute naps when you are hit with a wave of drowsiness. Anything longer will make you lethargic, but a short nap will refresh you.
如果有机会，困意袭来的时候小睡10到20分钟。再睡久一点就会让你感到昏昏沉沉了，但是小睡片刻会让你神清气爽。

5. Take Time to Reflect
花点时间反思

Often our lives get so hectic that we become overwhelmed without even realizing it. It becomes difficult to concentrate because nagging thoughts keep interrupting. Spending some time alone in reflection gives you a chance organize your thoughts and prioritize your responsibilities. Afterwards, you’ll have a better understanding of what’s important and what isn’t. The unimportant stuff won’t bother you anymore and your mind will feel less encumbered.
通常我们的生活太繁忙了，以至于我们被压得喘不过起来，甚至还意识不到这一点。全神贯注变得困难起来，因为总有无法摆脱的想法一直打断你。花些时间独自反思一下，会给你一个机会来调理思绪、按优先顺序安排自己的职责。随后，你将更好地了解到哪些事情重要、哪些不重要。不重要的事情将不会再烦扰你，你的大脑也会感觉负担没那么大了。

I’m not saying you need to sit on the floor cross-legged and chant ‘ommm’. Anything that allows a bit of prolonged solitude will do. One of my personal favorites is taking a solitary walk. Someone famous said, “All the best ideas occur while walking.” I think he was on to something. Experiment to find the activity that works best for you.
我并不是在说你需要盘腿坐在地板上，嘴上不停地吟唱经文。任何能让你稍微长时间独处的事情都可以。就我个人而言，我最喜欢做的就是独自散步。有个名人说过，“所有最棒的点子都是在散步时产生的。” 我认为他的观点非常有意思。尝试去发现对你最有效的一种活动。