It is hardly a secret that many modern-day pastimes not only help us to unwind but can actually make us incredibly clever. All we have to do is look at them from a fresh angle. In this article, Bright Side has made a list of the most common hobbies that can help you develop most uncommon mental abilities. This is your chance to become a true superhero of our times, in no time at all!

Listening to music is a great pastime, but did you know that learning to play a musical instrument can make you smarter?! Even a mouth organ will do!

 

 

Watching movies is fun, but nothing beats reading a book and letting your imagination make the story come alive in your mind’s eye. Positive effects guaranteed!

 

 

Condemning yourself to exhausting two-month-long gym workout programs in the run-up to summer and winter vacations is very ineffective. You’ll achieve much better results by exercising at a slower pace throughout the whole year.

 

 

Believe it — you can be fluent in many languages at once!

 

 

Don’t forget to take breaks on your quest for knowledge. Your brain needs some R&R!

 

 

Remember that proverb about ’all work and no play’? All of us absolutely need to engage in diverting activities now and then — provided that what we’re doing is both fun and useful!

 

 

It is said that a change is as good as a rest. If you want to really recharge your batteries don’t spend your day lying on the sofa. Try concentrating your mind and body on some new activity instead. For instance, why not do some sport?!

 

 

Illustrated by Ekaterina Gapanovich for BrightSide.me Based on materials from Business Insider