Breaking Down the Value of Sleep with Dr. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg

The Prosperous Doc

It is something we need to survive, but the more we try to obtain it, the more it can evade us: sleep. Looking at the clock throughout the night, scrolling on smart phones until our eyes shut, or sleeping with televisions on, many Americans do not create ideal, sleep-conducive settings for themselves, which can cause harm.

In this episode of the Prosperous Doc®, our host Shane Tenny, CFP® welcomes Dr. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, one of the foremost experts on sleep and the Medical Director of Sleep Medicine for Millennium Physician Group, to discuss how sleep impacts health, memory, and how COVID has impacted an entire country’s sleep habits. Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg breaks down sleep’s impact on the lymphatic system, metabolism, cognitive abilities, and more. She even discusses the benefits and harms of taking naps.

💡 Featured Guest 💡

Name: Dr. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, M.D., FAASM, FAAN

What she does: As a Board-certified Sleep Medicine Physician, Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg serves on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and is the Medical Director of Sleep Medicine for Millennium Physician Group. She has been interviewed for numerous publications including the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Newsweek, and US World Report.

Company: Millennium Physician

Connect: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

⚡ Prosperous Insights ⚡

[07:00] Steady pace rather than sprint: Dr. Abassi-Feinberg talks about the body’s natural “circadian rhythm.” While naps can sometimes be beneficial, particularly depending on a person’s work schedule, it is still best to aim for long, patterned stretches of sleep rather than short spurts.

[12:00] COVID-somnia: In July of 2020, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, conducted a survey that found more than 20% of adults felt their quantity and quality of sleep was less. COVID-somnia is the bucket term used for talking about the negative effects of COVID on sleep.

[16:53] The dream team: Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg says, in order to feel truly refreshed, a combination of both deep sleep and REM sleep is needed. Cycling through the different sleep patterns is essential to waking up feeling rested.

[18:52] Don’t look: According to Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg, waking up during the night is normal but looking at the clock is what causes issues. Consistently looking at the clock when you wake up actually trains yourself to make that a pattern each night.

[24:36] Limit light exposure: While light in the morning is great for waking up, limiting light exposure in the evening, especially when winding down, is crucial leading up to a good night’s sleep.

[25:33] Big picture thinking: Some people like to enjoy a night cap or snack before bed. According to Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg, however, both can be disruptive to sleep and cause more awakenings and poorer sleep quality.

[29:45] Getting help: If you are unsure if you need professional help with your sleep, Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg suggests going to SleepEducation.org to assess your needs and find a sleep center near you.

[31:28] Big thanks: Dr. Abbasi-Feinberg says she owes much thanks for professional guidance to Dr. Susan Esther, who is the past president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Disclaimer: Prosperous Doc podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentists to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentists in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at www.sdtplanning.com. You can also connect with our host, Shane Tenny, CFP at [e-mail] or on Twitter.

Compliance code: CRN202505-2417683