Brain Games/Neuroscience
This part of the brain helps you pause, plan, and think before acting.
A. amygdala
B. none
C. The prefrontal cortex
D. the balance part of the brain
C. prefrontal cortex.
Which coping skill works best in the moment to calm your nervous system?
A) Venting online
B) Slow, controlled breathing
C) Avoiding the situation
D) Distracting yourself all day
B. slow, controlled breathing
In Iceland, these 13 mischievous figures visit children in the days leading up to Christmas.
A. The Yule Lads
B. Krampus
C. Great Big Giants
D. The evil fairies
A. the yule lads
True or False: Stress is always bad for your brain.
A) True
B) False
C) Only for teens developing brain
D) Only for adults as the brain has developed
B. False
Which reindeer is known for having a glowing red nose?
A) Dasher
B) Blitzen
C) Rudolph
D) Comet
C. Rudolph
When your body feels nervous or panicky, which response is happening?
A) Rest and digest
B) Fight, flight, or freeze
C) Growth and repair
D) Sleep mode
B. fight flight freeze
Q: Grounding skills are most helpful when you are:
A) Bored
B) Emotionally overwhelmed or anxious
C) Highly motivated
D) Problem-solving calmly
One of these is a real holiday tradition celebrated somewhere in the world. Which one is real?
A. People smash plates on doors to bring good luck
B. People wear pajamas to scare away bad dreams
C. People ring bells all night to wake up the New Year
D. People throw snowballs at their neighbors for fun
A. People smash plates on doors to bring good luck
Short-term stress can sometimes help with:
A) Making emotions disappear
B) Focus and performance
C) Avoiding responsibility
D) Sleeping longer
B. Focus and Performance
In How the Grinch Stole Christmas, where does the Grinch live?
A) Whoville
B) Mount Crumpit
C) The North Pole
D) A cave in the forest
B. Mount Crumpit
Q: Which of these helps calm your body the fastest when you’re stressed?
A) Holding your breath
B) Slow, deep breathing
C) Checking your phone
D) Caffeine
B. slow, deep breathing
Why does movement (walking, stretching, pacing) help reduce stress?
A) It distracts you from emotions
B) It burns calories
C) It releases built-up stress energy from the body
D) It avoids difficult thoughts
C. It releases built up stress energy from the body
In Japan, a popular Christmas tradition involves eating food from which restaurant?
A) McDonald’s
B) Pizza Hut
C) KFC
D) Burger King
C. KFC
Which hormone increases when you’re stressed?
A) Dopamine
B) Cortisol
C) Melatonin
D) Insulin
B. Cortisol
Which movie features a kid accidentally left home during Christmas?
A) Elf
B) A Christmas Story
C) Home Alone
D) The Santa Clause
C. Home Alone
Q: Which brain chemical helps you feel motivated and excited about rewards?
A) Dopamine
B) Melatonin
C) Insulin
D) Adrenaline
A. Dopamine
Taking a pause before responding helps because it:
A) Makes others take you seriously
B) Shuts down emotions
C) Gives your thinking brain time to catch up
D) Makes problems disappear
C. Gives your thinking brain time to catch up
In Spain and some Latin American countries, who traditionally brings gifts to children?
A) Santa Claus
B) The Three Wise Men
C) The Easter Bunny
D) Father Time
B. The Three Wise Men
Which habit is most effective at lowering stress levels over time?
A) Ignoring stress
B) Sleeping regularly
C) Caffeine
D) Multitasking
B. Sleeping Regularly
In Elf, what four main food groups does Buddy say elves eat?
A) Candy, candy canes, candy corn, syrup
B) Cookies, milk, chocolate,fruit
C) Candy, chocolate, pumpkin pie,vegetables
D) Sugar, fruit, frosting, meat
A. Candy, candy canes, candy corn, syrup
Q: The brain can change and learn new things throughout life. This means the brain is:
A) Stuck
B) Fragile
C) Flexible
D) Finished developing
C. Flexible
Which coping strategy is most likely to help long-term emotional regulation?
A) Ignoring feelings
B) Acting on emotions immediately
C) Naming feelings and choosing a response
D) Pushing feelings away until later
C. Naming feelings and choosing a response
Which holiday is known for lasting eight nights and celebrating light during winter?
A) Diwali
B) Hanukkah
C) Kwanzaa
D) Lunar New Year
B. Hanukkah
Which statement about stress is most accurate?
A) Stress should be avoided at all costs
B) Stress means you’re not coping well
C) Some stress can help you prepare and perform
D) Stress permanently damages the brain
C. Some stress can help you prepare and perform
One of these is a real holiday tradition. Which one?
A) Hiding a pickle ornament in a Christmas tree
B) Throwing shoes at Santa for good luck
C) Singing to snowmen at midnight
D) Leaving soda out for reindeer
A. Hiding a pickle ornament in a Christmas Tree