The Challenge: Follow Up

Maureen Harrop
Sep 19, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Sep 26, 2025

The “5 Secrets for Longevity of Body and Mind” CHALLENGE!

HOW DID YOU DO?!

MY CHALLENGE to You:

Try AT LEAST 3 of her ideas for the upcoming

2 weeks! I’ll share my results,

and I hope you’ll share yours

in the “Comments” section below on the blog,

and/or on Social Media!

Let’s refresh our memories on the five activities we were tasked to try. On my end, I tried everything at least once, and the highlighted tasks were the ones I did consistently.

Since I continue to be partially paralyzed on my left side, the ankle circles and doorway chest expansions were done with my right foot & right arm.

16oz of WATER: At night, prepare a glass of water with a pinch of sea salt and or a lemon wedge to replace the water and electrolytes you lost during the night.
10-15 minutes of SUNLIGHT: “Let in the light,” she says! No sunglasses!

BRAIN Game!

(4 minutes)

BRAIN activation: “Brain Fertilizer”
4 New Words: Learn 4 new words: say them aloud; & use each one in a sentence. (Strengthens your “language center!”) (One Minute)
Simple Math: Solve a simple math problem. Keep it easy, but not automatic. (Strengthens your “logical brain!”)

(One Minute)

Recall a Fond Memory, in detail: Close your eyes & recall a fond memory - remember your wedding day, the scent of your mother’s kitchen, your child’s 1st Christmas, etc. Picture it all in minute detail, recall scents, sounds, etc. (Strengthens your “language center!”) (One Minute)
Visualize Your Day: Picture yourself moving through the morning, calm, strong, and joyful. Visualize success! (This boosts your “executive brain” and “emotional resilience!”) (One Minute)

INDEPENDENT MOBILITY Game!

(7 minutes)

4. “Inside-Out Mobility Sequence”

Arm Circles (30 seconds):

Sit upright in a sturdy chair.
Let your arms rest by your sides.
Slowly make small circles forward for 15 seconds;
then backward for 15 seconds.

(This increases circulation in your upper body and warms up stiff shoulder joints.)

Seated Marching (One Minute):

Stay in your chair.
Lift one knee, then the other - like a gentle march. (Go slowly and breathe deeply.)

(This activates your core and brings blood flow to your hips and legs.)

Doorway Chest Expansions (30 seconds)

Stand in a doorway with your hand(s) on either side of the doorway at shoulder height and gently lean forward until you feel a stretch. HOLD for 30 seconds

Supported Squats (One Minute)

Stand in front of a counter, the back of a sturdy chair, sofa, etc., hold on lightly, bend your knees just a little, only as far as comfortable, then return to standing. Repeat slowly for 1 minute.

(This strengthens the thighs and glutes, your strongest muscles - the key to staying independent!)

Seated Ankle Circles (1 minute/each foot)

Sit on sturdy chair, lift one leg, & slowly circle the ankle clockwise for 30 seconds and counterclockwise for 30 seconds.
Do the same for the other ankle. (This improves balance and blood flow to prevent falls!)