We’ve all been there before: you’re at an interview, you’ve prepared extremely well, and you feel like no question will surprise you. Then one of the interviewers asks something that blindsides you, and suddenly, it looks like your impeccable performance is going to be marred by that one fidgety answer.

Hot seats are the bane of many candidate’s existence. Whether you’re in an exam hall, in a press conference, or at a job interview, being thrown off-guard by a surprising question can be unnerving and embarrassing. The only way to be on top of the situation is by thinking fast in your seat.

Every now and then, a tricky question may come your way, and your ability to swat it off with a witty answer will score you extra points in the minds of your interviewers and audience.

So how can you achieve this? There are activities you can do to sharpen your brain, and though it’s not a panacea for all situations, they will surely take you far. Here are some solutions:

1.    Work on Your Memory

Most of our responses to questions and situations stem from our ability to recall similar past occurrences and tackle them with newly-learned solutions. However, if memory recall rate is slow, it can be difficult to answer with accuracy. One way to correct this is by practicing your ability to remember things.

You may often wonder how musicians remember lyrics to their songs even after several years? It’s due to memory exercises. Likewise, theater actors practice their lines regularly to keep their dialogue fresh. The practice of remembering event or things and discussing them with people around you is a scientifically backed technique for instant memory recall. Do this regularly and your brain will stay sharp.

2.    Do Something Different Continuously

By repeatedly engaging in new topics and activities, your brain gets wired towards new pathways that allows you recall things faster and easier, no matter the subject.

Try to remember when you were still learning to ride a bicycle—you probably fell a lot of times. But as you continued to practice, you mastered the balance and got yourself in the right position. Soon you were speeding across the busy streets with ease.

In the same way, train your brain to take on a different challenge frequently. It could be writing with your left (if you are right-handed) or learning to do the Rubik’s cube blindfolded. Yes, this is possible! Note that the whole idea behind this exercise is to keep your cognitive activity high.

3.    Work on your body

This probably didn’t come as a surprise, but your whole body consists of both mental and physical parts. It’s incomplete to work on one and neglect the other. Unfortunately, many fitness builders focus on the body, leaving their brains unexercised.

It’s difficult to stay alert if your body is stressed. For example, if you’re sleep deprived, cognitive functions will greatly be affected. So while you work out, ensure you get enough sleep to keep your brain rested.

Dr. Velasquez, a Nootropics expert with Best 5 Supplements, suggests a mind-body exercise routine to keep both forms engaged. “The brain is at its sharpest when your body is in top form. You not only feel stronger but are more confident to take on any challenge, even the most tasking interviews,” he says.

4.    Spend time around people you love

Believe it or not, your associations affect the way your mind works. Science has shown that the more positive your associations, the better your mood and thus cognitive activity. What better way to experience this than spending time with loved ones?

According to Harvard Health, people who lacked strong relationships in their life had a 50% higher chances of mortality than those who don’t. The reason is that being around loved ones increases the secretion of “happy hormones” that help the brain relax. Naturally, a relaxed brain can think actively. So spend time with people you love ahead of a job interview and you’ll feel sharper and more at ease.

5.    Practice mindfulness and meditation

If spending time with loved ones has a positive effect on mental activity, so does a healthy natural environment. One of the reasons people meditate in a nature-filled habitat is to enjoy the calming benefits that come with it. Mindfulness is the concentration of the here and now: being self-aware, accepting the positive, and doing away with negative influences in your life.

During meditation, practice mindfulness and your cognitive abilities will increase. Ahead of your interview, focus on your strengths, the positive impacts you’ll bring to the company, and why you are the right person for the job. Visualize the interview itself, ask yourself likely questions, and answer them as if you were there. This combination of a natural environment and meditation is a recipe for mental success.

Are you preparing for an upcoming interview? Include these exercises in your preparation and you’ll breeze through it with confidence and composure.