If you prefer these 8 "boring" activities over going out, you're probably more intelligent than average - Silicon Canals

"Remember that Friday night when your friends were heading to the crowded bar downtown, and you chose to stay home with your crossword puzzle instead? I've been there. Actually, I'm there most weekends. While everyone else was posting stories from packed restaurants and noisy clubs, I was curled up with a book about behavioral economics, completely absorbed and perfectly content."

"For years, I worried this made me boring. Maybe even a bit antisocial. But recent research suggests something different: those of us who genuinely prefer quieter, more solitary activities might actually have higher intelligence levels than average. It turns out that what society often labels as "boring" could be a sign of a more active, engaged mind that craves deeper stimulation than what typical social outings provide."

"Research from the University of Edinburgh found that people who read regularly show higher intelligence scores throughout their lives. But here's what's really interesting: it's not just that smart people read more. The act of reading itself enhances cognitive function. I discovered this truth about myself during a particularly social summer a few years back. After weeks of saying yes to every invitation, I felt mentally foggy and creatively drained."

Many people prefer quieter, solitary activities and derive deep satisfaction from reading, puzzles, and contemplative hobbies. Research from the University of Edinburgh links regular reading to higher intelligence scores and indicates that reading itself enhances cognitive function. Some brains require deeper, sustained mental stimulation rather than high-arousal social settings. Prolonged socializing can cause mental fog and creative depletion for individuals who prefer low-stimulation pursuits, while solitary intellectual activities can restore energy and focus. Preference for activities labeled as "boring" can reflect an active, engaged mind. Individuals who identify with multiple such preferences are more likely to score above average on intelligence measures.

Read at Silicon Canals