Training any part of the body inevitably takes time, even if that part you want to train is your brain power. However, if you are the impatient type or are simply trying to increase your energy for a specific task, you might want a quicker method to thinking faster and with more clarity right now. Fortunately, there are ways to increase brain power quickly. Here’s how:

1. Shower

In the shower, where you are comfortable, upright, and breathing freely, you are most likely to have an epiphany. One study even found that being in the shower increases dopamine levels, which excites the mind, leaving you feeling more awake and inspired.

2. Go for a walk

Several studies, including one from the University of Illinois and another from Stanford, have found that walking both increases your ability to recall things, which helps with problem solving, and that whether you are inside or outside, walking accelerates creative thinking too. The Stanford study also talked about how those who walked around had twice as much creativity as those who sat around all day.

3. Close your eyes

There is a reason why you meditate with your eyes closed. Not only can you block out external stimuli that might be negatively impacting you, but you also get a boost in brain power and improves recall. This is especially true if you are trying to remember something dire, like the PIN to your cash card.

4. Caffeine

No, caffeine isn’t evil—when consumed in moderation. One of the reasons is because caffeine has advantageous effects on cognitive functioning. The Mayo Clinic states that caffeine can be beneficial in increasing blood flow to the brain, which helps with relieving headaches and, you guessed it, make you think with more lucidity. Moreover, coffee has many other benefits, such as a reduced risk of depression.

5. Change your perspective

Sometimes, our brains get tired of looking at the same thing all day, every day. Sometimes, the repeated actions can actually start to slow you down. This is when a change in perspective can improve your brain power just like flipping on a switch. Try doing one of the following things:

• Write upside
• Write backwards
• Write with the less dominant hand
• Try writing with your toes
• Look at something from a different direction
• Mix up your morning routine
• Say the alphabet backwards
• Take classes in something you know nothing about
• Meditate
• Study art
• Go out in nature
• Practice lucid dreaming

 

As you can see, there are a number of ways to mix things up when it comes to your brain. The key is doing something different and waking the brain up, inspiring it to learn more or rewire itself. This helps promote elasticity.

If you are looking to increase your brain power quickly, then do anyone one of these 5 things—or try all 5! You are sure to feel more awake and alive within a few minutes of doing them.