Want to think like Einstein? Use these brain boosters to increase your brainpower.
Faster learning, better memory, sharper thinking, out-of-the-box problem solving, more efficiency, and enhanced creativity are just a few of the benefits of boosting your brainpower.
It’s time to get into the habit of thinking like a genius. And increasing your brainpower is easier than you think.
Don’t make working your brain a chore. Check out these ways to increase your brainpower.
101 Ways to Increase Brainpower
The ideas below are fun, they keep life interesting, and best of all, they don’t take any extra time. Here we go!
1. Meditate
Meditation is the #1 exercise to increase your brainpower. Stress clouds your thinking, so relieve stress with meditation. It’s easy!
Put on your headphones, press PLAY on your Omharmonics meditation music download, and let the technology put you in a meditative state.
2. Practice being ambidextrous
Brush your hair, write, use the mouse and eat or drink with your less dominant hand. So if you are right-handed, spend the next hours or day using your left hand. It’s difficult yes, but it really does push your brain to grow.
3. Practice creative thinking
When something is broken, find creative repair solutions using common objects. Make do with what you have — make repairs with odd items and ingenuity.
4. Adopt a critical-thinking mindset
Learn to convincingly argue every side of an argument. Critical thinkers will look at the entire picture and use systematic thinking to identify, analyze, and solve problems.
By cultivating a critical-thinking mindset, you’ll not only increase your brainpower, but you’ll also question ideas and be able to use reasoning instead of accepting information at face value.
This mindset will allow you to be an active learner rather than a passive recipient.
5. Chew gum
Who would’ve thought that chewing gum is a way to help increase your brainpower?
A study conducted in 2011 at St. Lawrence University discovered that if you chew gum for several minutes, you boost your short-term memory for a small period of time (15-20 minutes).
Break out the Juicy Fruit!
6. Read upside down
Now, you may think that we’re pulling your leg on this one, but we assure you, we’re not.
Reading upside down helps you slow down and focus on not only the words but also the shapes of the letters. A study at the University of British Columbia has shown that it helps with improving eye movements and increases reading speed.
Just make sure it’s the book that is upside down and not you.
7. Hydrate
Water enhances the brain’s electrochemical activity. Dehydration slows it, leading to cognitive problems.
So, pour yourself a glass and drink up.
8. Change your perspective
Same with reading a book upside down, turn the pictures in your home upside down for a while. Allow your brain to adjust to this new perspective.
9. Sketch note
Doodle and draw visual notes or solutions to problems instead of using numbers or text.
10. Be aware of time mentally
Try to mentally estimate the passage of time. Not only does it help increase your brain power, but it helps with attention and memory.
11. Listen to classical music
A study conducted at the University of California-Irvine found a temporary spike in IQ in students after they listened to Mozart. Weird but true.
12. Power nap
This is perhaps the easiest way to increase brain power. Naps help reduce sleepiness and improve your thinking, reasoning, or remembering.
13. Try different learning styles
Explore audiobooks, attending seminars or online courses.
14. Stop procrastinating!
“Procrastination is the force that prevents you from following through on what you set out to do.” — James Clear, author of the book Atomic Habits
15. Exercise daily
Just like the brain needs its workout in order to function properly, it also needs your body to function properly to the same benefit, which can be accomplished by body workouts and training.
16. Eat well
Give your brain energy and nutrients, not fillers and chemicals from junk/processed food. Check out our power foods article to give you that brain boost.
17. Solve math problems without a calculator
Work your brain without assistance from time to time. It builds better brain function and quick thinking.
18. Remember phone numbers
Just like math problems, you need to practice your memory. Don’t take it for granted.
19. Mix up your routine
The mind loves routine. And Routine is good, just don’t do it forever. You don’t grow by doing the same things every day.
20. Play chess
Chess can sharpen your thinking skills, improve your memory, and slow your brain’s aging.
21. Solve optical illusions
Increase brain power by making your problem-solving abilities beyond just words or riddles.
22. Play brain games like crosswords or sudoku
These types of games help avoid dementia by pushing your brain to think in new ways.
23. Watch TED Talks or A-Fest Talks
Education never hurt anyone. Watch at least one new thing every day.
24. Be curious
Ask questions and think about everything, just like a child would.
25. Think positively
Ask questions like, “what can go right?”
26. Create “Top 100 Lists”
Things to be grateful for, learn, places to visit, etc.
27. Keep a journal
Journaling gives space for new thought.
28. Write down your ideas
As soon as you get an idea write it down. Then return to it after some time.
29. Minimalism all the way
Simplify, declutter and organize your living and workspace.
30. Learn new things
Take a class on something you’ve never explored.
31. Take walk-breaks throughout the day
Research has shown that walking itself tends to increase our ability to think about anything from a different perspective.
32. Learn to spell backward
Exercise your brain. Try saying the alphabet backward. Good luck!
33. Change your environment
Change the furniture placement and art/accessories in your home.
34. Learn to play a musical instrument (and read music)
New skills increase your brain powers.
35. Learn to ‘be’
Observe the world without judgment, classification, or even thought.
36. Share something you’ve just learned or don’t know well
The process of explaining something helps clarify it.
37. Problem-solve from a different perspective
How would different people approach this problem: the rich, poor, crazy, geniuses, achievers, and slackers…?
38. Take up a new hobby
You don’t know what new hobbies can teach you. Try something, anything…explore.
39. Practice abstract thinking
Find connections between seemingly unrelated items, topics, or people.
40. Try the power of visualizations
Creatively visualize your ideal life.
41. Take it easy
Take a slow day. Do everything at half the speed and twice the awareness.
42. Learn memory techniques
Try to remember things more effectively.
43. Surround yourself with intelligent, positive people
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” — Jim Rohn
44. Learn and use a new word every day
A great way to increase your brainpower is to look up every new word you hear or read right then and there. Learn it and start using it. Or follow the social media of digital dictionaries to learn a new word every day.
45. Travel abroad
They say “travel broadens the mind”.
46. Stop multitasking
Do one thing at a time, exceptionally well. That doesn’t just increase your brainpower in learning, but makes your output a lot more effective!
47. Be in nature
Relax away from technology. Give your mind a proper break.
48. Learn the meaning of quotes from great thinkers
Don’t just read quotes, learn them. Learn what great thinkers meant when they said things like “I think therefore I am”.
49. Learn to lucid dream
Lucid dreaming is an extraordinary technique where you become conscious while in a dream state. It helps increase your brainpower by pushing your imagination beyond your wildest dream (pun intended).
50. Remember and record your dreams
You can also practice journaling your dreams as well. You’ll be surprised by what your subconscious processes while you are asleep.
51. Say your problems or thoughts out loud
Talk to yourself, as if you were explaining something to a stranger. It helps you think more clearly outside of your head.
52. Play
Play and have fun. You’ll help your brain increase its power by finding creative things to do, like playing with Legos or doing arts and crafts.
53. Practice intermittent fasting
One strategy to get super productive brainpower is to be hungry, and we mean that literally.
Evidence shows intermittent fasting elevates human growth hormone (HGH) which works to restore body functions and promotes the growth of neuronal connections in the brain.
54. Learn yoga, tai chi, or martial arts
These old wisdom practices discipline the body as well as the mind. Your brain will be so sharp you could cut glass with it!
This brings us to the next point…
55. Become hyper-aware of your environment
Identify and locate the sources of sounds, subtle changes in temperature, different smells, etc.
56. Get enough sleep
Without proper rest, it’s difficult to function and it’s harder to improve your brainpower. There’s even research that suggests your brain builds up toxins while your awake and sleep helps remove them.
Having trouble sleeping because of stress? Get your Omvana app out and meditate.
57. Eat less
in general, don’t ever eat to a point where you are full. Eat where you feel just enough not to feel hungry for the next hour or two.
58. Laugh!
The act of laughter increases endorphins and sends dopamine shooting to the brain.
More dopamine = better focus and learning.
59. Master your emotions
Learn to manage emotions by focusing on the feeling instead of the thought that generated it.
60. Be as descriptive as you can
Describe an experience in as much detail as you can remember. Take two to three days to do this, each time probing deeper for more information.
61. Practice ‘theme observation’
Pick a theme and try to spot it as many times as possible in one day.
62. Learn a foreign language
Did you know that there are 46 different descriptive words for snow in Icelandic? You probably know one or two. The more your language expands in different forms, the better you understand absolutely everything.
63. Brainstorm
The practice of brainstorming always gives you the challenge to think outside your comforts and boundaries, allowing you to grow your mind and brainpower.
64. Visit a museum
Never a bad time to learn about history. It’s ok to be nerdy. Nerds are ruling the world!
65. Read at least one thought-provoking book a month
Just read a book a month. Find a thought-provoking one for bonus brainpower points.
Don’t know where to start? We recommend The Code of the Extraordinary Mind by Mindvalley’s founder, Vishen Lakhiani.
66. Practice the ‘5 Whys Technique’
Get to the root of your problems. What were you thinking, that caused you to do or say something that had an unpleasant consequence? Keep asking why at least 5 times.
67. Memorize names
Another excuse to practice your memory and social skills. Two birds with one stone.
68. Take an improvisation class
Improvisation helps build the power of imagination in the brain.
69. Dance
Dancing is fun and a great activity for your brain.
70. Seek out the random
Select a random word and explore it on the Internet.
71. Go nuts with your creative problem solving
Imagine absurd, ‘impossible’, and ridiculously crazy solutions to everyday problems.
72. Be calm
Whatever you do, wherever you go, try not to sweat the small stuff. Do you find it hard? Then here’s another excuse for you to practice meditation.
73. Learn origami
It’s basically, math turned into a 3D puzzle for you to play with.
74. Take different routes to work
Find your way around new places. Train your brain’s spatial skills.
75. Learn to eat with chopsticks
If you don’t know how to use chopsticks, then that will be a new brain practice for your motor skills.
76. Learn to juggle
A fun way to both increase brain power and impress your friends. Studies show that juggling grows grey matter in the brain.
77. Question everything
Some of the greatest philosophers were skeptics. Ask, “why?” – especially if something doesn’t ring true to you.
78. Find your learning style
What’s your learning style? Are you a visual learner, an aural (listening) learner, a verbal learner, or a physical learner?
There are several online tests that you can take to find out. Once you know what style of learning suits you best, you can use it to easily and effectively absorb information.
79. Try new (ethnic) foods with an open, eager attitude
New tastes = new experiences = new understanding. Or this one is a long shot and we just like food…
80. Become aware of your thoughts during meditation
Focus on your thoughts, or one thought at a time. This practice is also called conscious mindfulness.
81. Give 110% – Always deliver more than expected
Why not work harder and do better. The lazy brain is a poor brain.
82. Summarize something you’ve just read
This makes understanding and memorizing easier to comprehend and recall.
83. Come up with one possible solution to one problem every day
Don’t worry if it’s ridiculous, unworkable, or ‘impossible’ – write it down.
84. Place inspirational items in your workspace
Quotes, pictures, objects, and the list goes on. It gets your subconscious thinking.
85. Breathe deeply
Extra oxygen to the brain increases neural activity. It also helps when your body is in physical, emotional, and mental distress. Practice breathwork to help increase your brainpower.
86. Sit up straight!
Why are you slouching anyways? As the Japanese martial artist and founder of the martial art of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba said, “A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind.”
87. Use ‘downtime’
Listen to books on tape while you commute, play memory games as you mow the lawn, etc.
88. Be mindful
Yes, mindfulness is a theme here, it has many benefits. Notice thoughts that are subtly bothering you (the little nagging voice) and clear up that mental clutter. Do what you need to do and get it out of your head!
89. Make a to-do list
Declutter your mind and take that list out of your head.
90. Develop and follow your intuition
Learning how to develop, and read your intuition is a practice of your mind and feelings combined. You will see the benefits over time.
91. Avoid allergy-prone foods
Sugar, wheat, corn, soy, nuts, dairy. Eliminate these for a while and watch the mental fog clear up!
92. Learn to speed-read
Speed reading will enable you to read up to 400 words a minute. Your brain will go into power mode!
93. Practice walking meditation
The rhythmic nature of walking lends itself to contemplation. Begin by focusing on the physical act and sensation of walking, and then allow your thoughts to focus on one topic only.
94. Model what successful people do and say
Find people you look up to and model your success after them. Pretty obvious and self-explanatory. You should be learning in the footsteps of the best people you know!
95. Create a new habit
It takes 30-45 days of consistent repetition for a thought or an action to become a habit.
96. Set goals
Setting well-crafted goals allow you to check off things you wanted to learn and achieve. Your brain and mind will thank you in the future. Self-growth = brain growth.
97. Eat breakfast
Just make sure it’s super light and super healthy.
98. Use peak energy times for complex mental work
Follow your own rhythms whether you’re a morning person or a night owl.
99. Have sex
Yes, we went there! This is perhaps the most fun way to increase brainpower!
100. Get caffeinated
Caffeine in moderation increases cognitive performance and speed.
101. Level up with Mindvalley
Transformational growth, like the kind you find at Mindvalley, will help provide you the tools you need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
