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!

Healthy Sleep: First of Five 'Pillars of Health and Wellness'

We know that healthy sleep is one of the key components of integrative medicine, but at its essence, what does "integrative" health really entail?

Lori Knutson, RN, BSN, administrative director of Meridian Integrative Health & Medicine, recently stopped by  94.3 The Point to help answer that very question.

"When we talk about integrative health and medicine, we're talking about an umbrella term for all of the complimentary therapies that we bring into conventional medicine," Knutson says. "We call it 'integrative' because it's a combination of traditional Western medicine and other treatments such as massage, acupuncture, movement therapy, and more."

Sleep is one of the "five pillars of health and wellness" comprising the essence of Meridian Integrative Health & Medicine, along with nutrition, activity, resilience and purpose, according to Knutson.




Listen to Knutson's interview with 94.3 The Point to learn more about Meridian Integrative Health & Medicine and the five pillars of health and wellness.

Meridian Integrative Health & Medicine is a comprehensive health and wellness program designed to foster healthy alignment of body, mind and spirit. For more information, visit MeridianIntegrativeMedicine.com.

Dr. Ash on Steve Harvey Show: Biggest Mistake Made by People Seeking Sound Sleep

What is the NUMBER ONE mistake made by people in their efforts to get a better night's sleep? On a recent visit to The Steve Harvey Show, Meridian Health Director of Sleep Medicine Dr. Carol Ash answers this question - and helps a woman who hasn't had a full night's rest in more than five years!

Dr. Carol Ash on "CBS This Morning," Do Our Kids Need More Sleep?

Deciphering the Enigma of Your Slumber's Multiverse

We've all had those types of dreams. Whether funny, creepy or just plain bizarre, they're the dreams we can't seem to shake, at least until we get an answer to "What did that mean??"

On FOX News' "While You Were Sleeping" segment, Dr. Carol Ash took on that very question and offered insight into the body's slumber responses and how to go about "decoding the mysteries of your mind and unlocking the meaning from your dreams."

"You have to remember that the brain is taking in all the old information and new information and processing it in new patterns to help you come up with solutions to the problems of the day," Ash says. "Dreaming allows you to work through all those negative emotions and solve them in a safe environment, your bedroom."

Watch the full segment below to hear Dr. Ash's interpretation of dream scenarios such as losing control of a vehicle, being chased, being lost and having your teeth fall out (which is more common than you think.)