Messy and a night owl? Science says you could be smarter.

Have you ever been scolded for having a messy workspace or using "colorful" language? Science could be on your side. Recent psychological studies have found surprising connections between certain habits considered "unconventional" and high levels of intelligence.

1. Cluttered spaces: Research from the University of Minnesota suggests that clutter fosters creativity
2. Being a night owl: A study at the London School of Economics found higher IQs in night owls.
3. Swearing: Marist College research links "colorful" vocabulary with verbal intelligence
4. Talking to yourself: Psychologists at the University of Wisconsin associate it with better cognitive function
5. Preferring solitude: Study in British Journal of Psychology links it to complex thinking

"These behaviors aren't a sign of intelligence, but rather a manifestation of how active minds process information," explains cognitive psychologist Dr. Samantha Cohen.

Clutter stimulates unusual associations
The night offers fewer distractions for overactive minds.
Swear words show linguistic mastery and stress management
Talking alone organizes complex thoughts
Solitude allows you to delve deeper into ideas

2013 Study (University of Minnesota): People in cluttered environments generated 28% more creative ideas
2009 Research (London School of Economics): Night owls showed an average of 8 points higher IQ scores
Experiment 2017 (Marist College): Those who listed more profanities had a larger general vocabulary

The researchers emphasize that: