Out with the tie, in with the ... man-cation?

A generation ago, ties, shirts and socks were what every dad "needed." What does today's father really want? Dr. Bradly Jacobs, senior medical director at RevolutionHealth.com (http://www.revolutionhealth.com/), has developed gift ideas that dad will enjoy - and truly appreciate.

"It's not your father's Father's Day anymore," said Dr. Jacobs. "As the father of two kids, I know that today's dad wants downtime, a chance to rejuvenate and to find ways to be healthier. So out with the tie this Father's Day and in with some gifts he'll use and enjoy."

Top 10 gifts:

1. A man-cation - With all the stresses of balancing work and family, dads often put their guy friends on the back burner. Research shows that social isolation can lead to an earlier death in men. Urge dad to take a vacation with the guys - it can be good for the mind, body and soul. Check out 10 "man-cation" suggestions for active dads.

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthy-living/mens-health/road/active- vacations/destination-ideas

2. Payment on sleep debt - On average, Americans today sleep one hour less than they did 20 to 30 years ago. Over time, they build a sleep debt that compounds and impairs functioning, maybe even putting them at a higher risk for diseases like diabetes. Help dad pay off his sleep debt by turning off dad's alarm clock and letting him get more sleep.

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/?id=69-W0505b

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/sleep/insomnia/time-for- sleep/back-to-sleep?section=section_00

3. Healthy-er breakfast - Be realistic. Not a lot of dads want to sacrifice with their Father's Day breakfast. If you plan to prepare a big one, make some healthier choices for him that he might not even notice. Use egg whites for your scrambled eggs, turkey bacon rather than pork and substitute wheat toast for biscuits. If you want to prepare something different, try a healthy potato omelet and use egg whites. Take a look at some tips to help prepare a healthy breakfast.

http://www.snacksby.com/recipes/478/Potato+omelette

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthy-living/food-nutrition/food- basics/control-eating/breakfast-metabolism-appetite-control

4. Cookbook. Eating well can be easier than dad thinks. This Father's Day, give dad a cookbook with easy, healthy everyday recipes. Here's a collection of 10 favorite healthy recipes. Or ask your family members to contribute their favorite healthy recipes and put those together into a book for dad. Encourage his healthy eating habits by making it fun.

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthy-living/food-nutrition/kitchen/get- cooking/cookbook-recipes-online?section=section_00

5. Volunteer engagement - Pick a charity that's near and dear to dad's heart and sign him - and the family - up as volunteers. Whether it's making sandwiches at a soup kitchen, reading to children in schools or cleaning up a neighborhood park, volunteering can be good for dad's health. Research has shown that an engaged mind and a life with purpose improves memory, mood and life expectancy. Spend part of your Father's Day helping others and helping yourselves as well.

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/about/nonprofit-organizations

6. A four-legged friend - A pet can be a wonderful gift for dad on Father's Day. While pets are a commitment, animals love you unconditionally and can be great for mental and physical health. Caring for pets can boost self-esteem, prevent loneliness and can even lower heart rate and blood pressure in some people - especially the elderly.

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/?id=kh-49414&section=section_00

7. A massage - Sixteen percent of American adults received a massage in 2006, up from 12% in 2004. And while it may seem like an indulgence, more people are recognizing the health benefits of massage.

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/articles/?id=ns-bottomline- classicalmassage

8. A MAN-icure - Most men think manicures and pedicures are only for women, but men's grooming options have gone far beyond the barber shop to high-end spas. Here is a list of gift options on the men's spa menu for dad these days.

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthy-living/mens- health/mirror/grooming/salons

9. Exercise - Make it easier for dad to exercise. Give him a one-year membership to a fitness club or tennis lessons. More importantly, be his cheering squad to encourage him to exercise more. A healthier lifestyle will help dad feel better and give him the energy to spend more active time with his family.

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/get- started/five-steps-getting-started

10. Knowledge - Remember the old saying that knowledge is power? This is even more true for health. This Father's Day, log onto KnowYourRisk health assessment with dad and spend two minutes to learn his risk for heart attack, stroke and diabetes and the steps he can take to reduce that risk. This is a gift that can give the gift of more years to dad's life.

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/medical-diagnosis/kyr-health-risk- assessment/

"We tend to think of our fathers as strong, almost indestructible types, but even dad needs to take care of himself," said Dr. Jacobs. "Simple things like increasing social activity or maybe getting a pet can help improve dad's health so he can enjoy Father's Day every day."

Dr. Bradly Jacobs is recognized as a national leader in Integrative Medicine and Health & Wellness. He was the founding Medical Director of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he held the Osher Foundation Endowed Chair of Integrative Medicine and was Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine. Dr. Jacobs is a graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine, and completed his residency and clinical research fellowship at the University of California San Francisco. He holds a master's degree of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Jacobs is board certified in Internal Medicine and has studied acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, yoga and martial arts. At Revolution Health, Dr. Jacobs heads the integrative medicine arena.

About Revolution Health Group LLC

Revolution Health Group LLC was created by AOL Co-Founder Steve Case to create products and services that empower people by putting them at the center of the health system. The cornerstone of the company is RevolutionHealth.com, a free consumer health and medical website that marries expert content and online tools with the power of social networking. Revolution Health also offers premium services that enable companies to provide health content and customized online tools to their employees, an insurance marketplace, and CarePages (http://www.carepages.com/), the leading service that enables communication among family and friends when someone is receiving care. For more information go to http://www.revolutionhealth.com/.

Source: Revolution Health Group LLC