Researchers report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal that there may be a seasonality of mortality. After combing through data from Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Sweden, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan they discovered that the lowest mortality rates occurred during the warm months of July to September in the Northern hemisphere and February to March in the Southern hemisphere. A multitude of factors may be at play, including better nutrition or less pandemic diseases during these months. However, the researchers offer up an intriguing thought – could environmental factors, such as taking a summer vacation, lead to decreased death rates? “Vacations can have both physiologic and psychological effects. The positive psychological effects of vacations consist of ameliorating mood, decreasing mental stress and providing a sense of recuperation and well-being that may last for at least a month after the vacation,” said the study authors. Do we really need scientific studies to tell us that vacations are good for the mind, body and soul? I think common sense can tell me that. But, it is interesting data that’s worth looking into. [CMAJ via Medical News Today]
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Tags: Canadian Medical Association, death, mortality, stress, summer, vacation, well-being
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:56 am
This study may have left out one of the most significant factors, sun exposure and increased vitamin D. Many studies have concluded that optimum vitamin D is of greater benefit than most other natural substances.
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:07 am
THAT GOOD TO KNOW ABOUT THE VITAMIN AND I TRY TO KEEP MY STRESS AWAY AS MUCH I CAN AND WITH GOD HELP ME MORE ,,,, WISH TO GOWAY FOR A LITTLE WHILE BEEN I THINK THAT WHAT I NEED ITS BEEN VERY LONG YEARS I DO DISIRE TO BE AWAY FOR A LITLLE …. THAT FOR FACT IT WILL WORK FOR ME AND BE MY NEW ME AGAIN
September 24th, 2009 at 11:19 am
why take it at night?
September 24th, 2009 at 11:20 am
why do i have to take it at night?