Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts

Thursday, June 15, 2017

This Father’s Day, Give Dad a Gift He Can Really Use: A Nap


Manisha Parulekar, M.D.
Hackensack University Medical Center


Please, no more ties or gold-toe socks. And save the power tools for Christmas.
This Father’s Day, give Dad a gift he can really use: A nap.

Napping has often been written off as a guilty pleasure, but a new study suggests that an afternoon nap may be a brain booster for those 65 and older.

The study of nearly 3,000 adults aged 65 and older found that those who had taken an hour nap after lunch showed improved memory, clearer thinking and increased cognitive performance than those who did not nap or took a shorter or longer nap.

The people who napped for an hour after lunch performed better on the brain function tests than those who didn't nap at all, and those who slept for an hour also outperformed the people who slept for less than an hour or more than an hour, the findings showed.

Study participants who either didn't nap, or took short naps or very long naps had declines in their mental abilities that were up to six times greater than those who slept for an hour in the afternoon.

“This study shows that a nap after lunch may be part of a healthy lifestyle for older adults, whereas naps at other times of the day might affect night time sleep,” says Manisha Parulekar, M.D., of Hackensack University Medical Center.

So for adults, it all comes down to the question of, to nap or not to nap? Still unsure which is the right choice for you? Read more here!

Monday, January 18, 2016

Lack of Sleep Increasing Among Single Parents

The engine of family is sacrifice - prioritizing our schedules, our interests, often even our own health, to meet the needs of those who depend on us the most.

And nobody understands these sacrifices more than single parents.

However, a new study reveals that single parents - mothers in particular - are undercutting their own long-term health in favor of more immediate family demands.

As reported on Huffington Post and NJ.com, single parents - mothers in particular - consistently have both the least and lowest quality sleep, 43 percent of single moms and 37 percent of single dads, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.

According to Huffington Post, this study is especially important as the increasing number of single-parent households continues to rise, and while traditional health studies about single-parent families have tended to focus on the well-being of children, experts are increasing their attention toward the adults in the equation.

NJ.com also noted that, when it comes to sleep, women seemed to come up short across the board.

"Women of all family types were more likely than men, in the same family type, to have more trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, and to frequently wake feeling not well-rested," according to the CDC survey. 

You can access the complete CDC report here.


Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Don't Let Holiday Stress Keep You Awake at Night

With Thanksgiving less than a day away, and just a month until Christmas, we're once again reminded how quickly "the most wonderful time of the year" can also become the most stressful.

Family. Finances. A tree in your house. Holiday stressors can feel immense when they all seem to hit at once, and in today's society, it's almost commonplace to simply "give in" to our anxieties keeping us awake at night.

According to a recent article in the New York Times,  Why Sleep Matters, nearly a quarter of Americans don't get enough shut-eye because they're too busy “concentrating on things."

 As commonplace as it may seem, however, losing sleep to stress is unhealthy and counterproductive.

"Lack of sleep can contribute to numerous health issues, including higher prevalence of chronic pain, high blood pressure, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and premature aging," says Carol Ash, D.O., Director of Sleep Medicine for Meridian Health.

In addition to restoring the immune system, sleep is vital to the energy and focus necessary to handling the life's most stressful situations head on. To break the stress-insomnia-stress cycle and get to sleep when your mind is in overdrive, Dr. Ash recommends a few different techniques.

"Find a cause. Studies show volunteering and pro bono work helps create external focus and connects us to others," Dr. Ash says. "These types of commitments help people find purpose and meaning in life, which can help eliminate racing thoughts at night."

"For a more immediate solution, try deep breaths," she adds. "Mindful breathing helps you relax and clear your mind prior to bedtime."

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Smartphone Superpower Comes at a Cost

Thanks to the blessings of 21st century technology, we can now talk to anyone, learn anything and transport anywhere in what feels like the blink of an eye.

Unfortunately, this realm of seemingly superhuman connectivity could be coming at a price, gradually grinding away at one of our most fundamental human needs.

This week, an article published in The Atlantic, "How Smart Phones Hurt Sleep," revealed some sobering statistics.

The piece cites a 2012 Time/Qualcomm poll conducted among 4,700 respondents in seven countries, including the U.S., in which participants were asked to gauge their level of agreement with the following assessment.

"I don't sleep as well as I used to because I am connected to technology all the time."

And the results? Nearly 25% of participants ages 18-24 strongly agree with the above statement, followed by nearly 15% ages 25-29, 10% ages 30-34 ...

And so it goes, gradually decreasing in percentage as participants' ages increase.

The conclusion? Those losing the most sleep are also the ones who need it the most.

"Electronic devices are designed to keep the brain engaged, making it more difficult to get to sleep at night," said Dr. Carol Ash in a Star Ledger/NJ.com article last year. "In addition, the light emitted from these devices limits the body’s release of melatonin, which helps us transition into our nighttime sleep cycle."

Read the complete Atlantic article, How Smartphones Hurt Sleep, to learn more.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Nap Time More Than Child's Play

Think nap time is just for kids? Watch Dr. Ash on the Better Show discussing the benefits of a daily siesta! 

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Lack of Sleep Could Be Costing You Wages

It's no secret that lack of sleep can prove physically, mentally and emotionally detrimental. But financially?

A recent article on the Advisory Board cites research from the University of California-San Diego concluding that — for the sleep-deprived — adding an hour to the average amount of sleep per night increased wages by 16%.

Lack of sleep diminishes the capacity of cognitive strengths in high demand by employers, including:
  • Creative thinking
  • Adapting to change
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to multitask

With the recommended eight hours of sleep every night, we improve in areas employers value most - and are willing to pay for.