Taking an afternoon nap could keep your brain sharp, a new study has said. Adults ages 60 and older who took afternoon naps showed signs of better mental ability compared to those who didn’t nap, according to a study published in General Psychiatry earlier this week.

Researchers analyzed napping habits in 2, 214 older Chinese people and measured their cognitive abilities using several cognitive tests. Participants took the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Beijing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, both of which test for memory, language and other cognitive abilities. In every category listed in the study, nappers tested statistically higher on average compared to their non-napping counterparts.

Researchers did not gather data from people under 60, so a correlation cannot be drawn between napping and younger generations. The study also noted that there are conflicting studies about the benefits and risks of napping.

Sleeping behaviors can be affected by a multitude of factors, said Dr. David Neubauer, associate professor at Johns Hopkins University. “Daily routines, medication use and sleep disorders can all play a role in how frequently someone takes a nap.” he said.

Neubauer recommended taking a shorter “power nap” of up to 20 minutes to decrease the chances of transitioning into slow-wave sleep, which makes people feel groggy when they wake up. “Napping can be a healthy part of an older adult’s day”, Neubauer acknowledged, but make sure “sleepiness isn’t due to a treatable nighttime sleep disorder.” Older individuals who want to do all they can to preserve their cognitive functioning should put nighttime sleep first.

I am in my 40s,but today I look more like a teenage girl. Not because I'm wearing the   latest fashion or having a wild hair day. It's because I have a pimple(青春痘) that looks like a volcano getting ready to erupt on my chin.

“Mom, what is that?” my 8-year-old daughter Lucy exclaimed, pointing at the ugly bump on my face.

My in-laws were visiting and brought me a box of chocolates-one of my favorite foods. Eating properly seemed like a good idea until I was alone with that box of chocolates! I enjoyed them greatly, and my pimple proved my enthusiasm clearly.

Food can be a large block for me. Broccoli(西蓝花)seldom appeals to me, but baked goods with sugar or crispy chips certainly do. I have no problem dipping a large spoon into a jar of peanut butter or frosting to satisfy my desires. But you won't catch me tasting a   spoonful of cottage cheese for a late-night snack.

Please don't misunderstand me. There is certainly a place for celebration foods such as cake and ice cream. But a regular serving of daily junk food robs me of the nutrition offered in the foods I eat.

I know I feel better after eating an apple than I do after eating a candy bar. It's so easy in   our society to eat processed food out of boxes, bags, and at the drive-thru. But that ease comes at a cost: We suffer physically. Our taste buds may be very, lack nutrition, which opens the door to diseases, I'm trying to ask myself a few questions before reaching for a snack or making a meal: Is this really food?        

Is there something God made in it? Am I really hungry? Will I feel satisfied, but our bodies better after eating this?

The eating habits your children pick up when they’re young will help them keep a healthy lifestyle when they’re adults. Here are some approaches parents can take to develop healthy eating habits in their children.

Guide your family’s choices rather than dictate foods. Make a wide variety of healthful foods available in the house. 【小题1】 Leave the unhealthy choices like chips, soda, and juice at the grocery store.

【小题2】 A child can feel hunger and fullness better when they eat at a slow pace. Before offering a second serving, ask your child to wait at least 15 minutes to see if they’re truly still hungry. This will give the brain time to register fullness. Also, that second serving should he much smaller than the first.

Eat meals together as a family as often as possible. Try to make mealtimes pleasant with conversation and sharing, not a time for scolding or arguing. If mealtimes are unpleasant, children may try to eat faster to leave the table as soon as possible. 【小题3】

Try not to use food to punish or reward your children. Withholding (不给) food as a punishment may lead children to worry that they won’t get enough food. For example, sending children to bed without any dinner may cause them to worry that they’ll go hungry. 【小题4】 Similarly, when foods, such as sweets, are used as a reward, children may assume that these foods are better or more valuable than other foods.

Discourage eating meals while watching TV. Try to eat only in a fixed area of your home, such as the dining room or kitchen. Eating in front of the TV may make it difficult to pay attention to feelings of fullness. 【小题5】