Do you ever feel dumb when you forget so much? Like when you were just holding your phone a minute ago, and now you're looking for it. Then it turns out to be just… in your hands. What if I tell you that this can be a sign of your extraordinary intelligence? Pretty rad, right?
Most people relate intelligence to having an exceptional memory – as in a flawless one! You're simply not intelligent if you can't remember what you had for breakfast last Monday morning. The thing is, they can be wrong. You may not be stupid after all!
Have you ever questioned your "dumbness?" Have you ever asked yourself why you forget a lot of things? If not, then maybe now is the right time to consider checking the facts.
There is a recent study in Canada that questions the natural assumptions of people concerning intelligence. Is having a good memory a sign of a high IQ? The truth is, a good memory was never related to intelligence. It may even be the opposite.
Researchers Blake Richards and Paul Frankland from the University of Toronto conducted a study that analyzes real human intelligence. They concluded that forgetting things makes us smarter. This is because our brains tend to focus on much more important things and replace old memories.
They came to this conclusion after observing and studying years of data on the memories of people. They found out that a part of the brain called the hippocampus works to disregard things of less importance. It directly overwrites new memories on old ones. This may be the reason why humans, most of the time, forget small details because their brains are functioning. You can't call them dumb for just forgetting their last Monday meal.
Today, with the introduction of advanced technology, including computers, people feel less obliged to rely on their memory. Nowadays, computers and mobile phones remember things for us, from our schedules to our favorite dessert recipes. This may be the reason why most people today experience forgetfulness. So, take it easy. You're not alone.
Their study also covered ways on how to achieve a healthier hippocampus. They suggested a good amount of exercise is a good way to clear the mind of irrelevant memories. Regular gym workouts will help in improving your daily performance and decision-making. This means that besides reading and chess, or other mental exercises, a good sweat-squeezing session every day in the gym can boost brain performance.
So, in short, intelligence does not always have the most accurate memory. From a more scientific perspective, it is having a healthy, working hippocampus or a limbic system that accordingly filters out memories for optimum performance in the real world.
Now you can set your worries aside and enjoy the benefits of forgetting the small details of your lives. You can now call yourself smart, but still, it is always best to consult a professional if you're experiencing difficulties remembering important details in your daily life. It is very important to take care of your mental health and be wise about it.
