My Mind Challenge

19 Weeks - 95 Questions!
Now I ask you this:

How are you going to challenge your mind to maintain good BRAIN HEALTH?

My Mind Challenge Week#19

  • Who was Jerry Lewis’s entertainment sidekick?
  • Who was the famous French ocean explorer that made several movies? Hint: many of us watched his movies back when we were in elementary and middle school.
  • Who was the famous fitness expert back in the 50’s-70’s that always wore a jumpsuit with a zipper up the front? Hint: he started a fitness gym franchise.
  • What was a double-feature?
  • Can you name one anti-oxidant food that YOU consume on a regular basis?

My Mind Challenge Week#18

  • Several decades ago Labor Day weekend signified an annual and recurring unofficial fashion “don’t”. What was it?
  • What was your favorite holiday movie classic when you were a child?
  • Do you remember what rabbit ears are on a TV?
  • Do you remember the term “breaker, breaker”?
  • What was an “E” ticket at Disneyland?

My Mind Challenge Week#17

  • When was the last time you wrote a card?
  • What was the “big” movie release of your teen years?
  • Can you name 2 airlines that are no longer service?
  • A pickle was once a cucumber. A prune was once what?
  • What is the former Datsun brand now known as?

My Mind Challenge Week#16
Theme: Selfcare

  • Do you get enough sleep? (6-8 hours).
    There are many factors that can either positively or negatively impact your sleep. If you aren't getting enough sleep consider evaluating your food and beverage consumption. Are you eating too many carbs/sweets (especially late at night) or are you consuming a lot of alcohol or caffeine? Do you practice good "sleep hygiene"? This means are you creating an environment that is promoting a restful night's sleep by turning off all smart devices and TVs before you go to sleep? Is your room cool enough for your to easily fall asleep? Are there any distractions in your bedroom that prohibit you from falling asleep? If you have done all of this and still are having a hard time getting good quality sleep consider talking to your healthcare provider about it.
  • When was your last “well-check” visit?
    We ALL should be getting a "well-check" annually. Neglecting your health can have serious consequences. Remember prevention is always better than treatment.
  • Do you have a healthy strategy for relieving stress?
    We are all stressed - some more than others. Stress can have a negative impact on not only your mental health but also your physical health. Exercise, mediation and conversation are just a few ways to help reduce stress. Find what works for you and DO IT!!
  • Do you have a “happy place” that you can escape to (literally or figuratively) when you need to be uplifted?
    We all need to have an escape from reality. Sometimes just knowing it's there whenever you need it can be enough but other times you need to physically be there. Guided imagery is a technique where you close your eyes and imaging that you are somewhere else. You imagine hearing the sounds, smelling the scents and feeling the environment. It's a powerful technique to help with stress reduction.
  • Do feel like you need help?
    If you feel like you need help then I want you to let someone know. Whether it's a friend, family member, counselor or healthcare provider you need to let someone know what you need. If you feel an urgent sense of need you can always call 911.

My Mind Challenge Week#15

This week’s MMC will be somewhat different. In all previous week’s, our goal was to positively stress your brain. To get you thinking and to take you out of your comfort zone. Knowing that both physical activity and cognitive stimulation along with proper nutrition and hydration is known to optimize brain health, I’m challenging each and every one of you to the following.

  • Walk or exercise for a minimum of 20-30 minutes per day for at least 3 day this week.
  • Increase your water intake to at least 64 ounces per day this week.
  • Start a new activity that will positively stimulate your mind such as trying to cook a new recipe, playing a game, learning a new hobby or any other activity that you need to learn or re-learn.

Of course, before starting any exercise program, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider. Also, if you have any medical conditions that necessitate limiting fluid intake of course do NOT follow the above listed water consumption amount.

The purpose of My Mind Challenge is to promote brain health and wellbeing. There are many things you can do to take an active role in your own brain health and my hope is that this helps encourage you to do that.

Take the CHALLENGE, your mind is worth it!

My Mind Challenge Week#14

  • If you had to name one possession as your “most treasured” item what would it be?
  • When you were younger (late teens/early twenties) what did you want to be your career?
  • What was the best advice you were ever given?
  • What is your greatest strength?
  • What TV or movie character most closely resembles you?

My Mind Challenge Week#13

  • If you could recommend only one movie to someone what would it be?
  • Can you complete these popular phrases:
    An apple a day..... (fill in the blank)
    Easy as ..... (fill in the blank)
    The early bird.... (fill in the blank)
    Don’t give a gift horse.... (fill in the blank)
    An elephant never.... (fill in the blank)
    Happy as a pig.....(fill in the blank)
    A fool and his money are.... (fill in the blank)
  • Can you remember the 4 services that were provided at a “Full Service” filling station?
  • Who was Johnny Carson’s side kick on the Tonight Show?
  • Can you name 2 shows that Dick Clark hosted on a recurrent basis?

My Mind Challenge Week#12

  • Can you repeat these 3 words “book, chair, tree”. Remember these 3 words because you’ll be asked them again later (don’t write them down).
  • Think of your favorite holiday. Now can you recall a particular memory that occurred on that holiday?
  • What is your favorite tradition?
  • What was a common expression/saying you or your generation used in your youth?
  • What were the 3 words I had you repeat in question #1

My Mind Challenge Week#11

  • Can you name 3 activities you’ve engaged in over the last 2 weeks to promote brain stimulation? These are new activities, not MMC or activities you’ve been doing on a regular basis.
  • Who was your first “crush”?
  • What are 5 things you associate with the Fall season?
  • If you could meet one person either still living or now deceased, who would it be and why?
  • Can you name 5 characters from the Flintstones?

My Mind Challenge Week#10

  • Can you remember one of your favorite TV shows from your childhood/youth that aired on Friday or Saturday nights?
  • Besides Ronald McDonald, can you name 1 or more other McDonald’s characters?
  • How many states are there in the United States?
  • How many Native American Indian tribe-nations can you name?
  • In the show M*A*S*H, what war was the background setting for the show?

My Mind Challenge Week#9

  • Who was the president of the United States when you graduated high school?
  • What was your favorite restaurant to go to when you were a child?
  • How many types of fish can you name?
  • If you could have a single wish come true that doesn't involve health, wealth or peace what would it be?
  • If you could learn a single skill, what would it be?

My Mind Challenge Week#8

  • What did you have for dinner 2 nights ago?
  • Where was your last vacation?
  • Can you name 4 superheros?
  • Can you name 4 planets in the solar system?
  • How many slang words can you think of for the word “money”?

My Mind Challenge Week#7

  • Can you name the 5 Great Lakes
  • Can you name 4 Sesame Street characters?
  • Can you complete this math equation in your mind? No calculators or pencil/paper. What is: 8 + 3 x 6 + 4 -5 -3 / 2 + 4 / 7 - 5 = ?
  • Can you name one person who signed the Declaration of Independence?
  • Can you name 10 different languages?

My Mind Challenge Week#6

  • Can you name 3 states that border the Gulf of Mexico?
  • What was the name of your first dog/cat?
  • Can you name one country in each of these locations: North America, Central America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East and the Caribbean?
  • Can you name 4 Disney princesses?
  • Can you name at least 5 sports that begin with the letter “S”?

My Mind Challenge Week#5

  • Can you name 7 dog breeds? ( no mixed breeds )
  • What are the other names for 9th 10th, 11th and 12th grader in high school? These terms are also used in college.
  • What do you call the type of telephone that had a circular dial that you used to dial numbers? (pre-smartphone era)
  • Can you name 5 properties on the Monopoly board game? (Railroads allowed)
  • Which president is on the $1 and $5 USD?

My Mind Challenge Week#4

  • What do these words have in common? Kayak, Rotor, racecar and refer.
  • What is the Dewey decimal system?
  • Can you recite the first name and last name of 5 of your high school friends?
  • If military time is based on a 24 hour clock what would 1700 equate to in standard time?
  • Can you remember all the words to one nursery rhyme?

My Mind Challenge Week#3

  • If you have 3 quarters, 2 dimes, one nickel and 4 pennies and you want to buy something for $1.15 how much more would you need?
  • Can you name the last 6 (including current) US presidents and their VP?
  • What was the name of your 3rd grade teacher?
  • What was the title to the last book you read?
  • Can you name all the states in the US that start with the letter “”A”?

My Mind Challenge Week#2

  • Can you count backwards from 100 by 7’s. ex: 100, 93?
  • How many words can you recite that begin with the letter "T" in 1 minute.? Goal: 15
  • Can you name the months of the year, backwards starting with December?
  • How many words can you create using the letters from the word “cognitive”? You can only use each letter as many times as it appears in the word cognitive. Hint: there are at least 50 words!
  • Can you remember your high school mascot?

My Mind Challenge#1

  • Can you recall what you had for dinner last night?
  • Where was you last vacation?
  • What was your childhood street address?
  • Can you spell “WORLD” backwards out loud?
  • Can you do this math equation in your mind: What is: 100 - 25 + 10 + 5 % 3 x 2 % 4 - 10 + 5 = ?

Do Not Use calculators, Pen or Pencil, do as a simple equation. Do not follow order of operations.