11:24 am Tue, Jul 16, 2024
Ekaterina Vidiasova/shutterstock.com
You can die on any day, but birthdays are special because you are more likely than average to die on that day.
According to Holly McHugh of BBC Science Focus, a 2012 Swiss study found that “the number of people aged 60 and over dying on their birthday has increased by 13.8 per cent, compared with other days.”
Reasons given:
- Excessive alcohol consumption during birthday celebrations, leading to more risk-taking behavior and accidents
- People with terminal illnesses hold on to their birthday as a milestone before letting go
- ‘Birday blues’ that cause sadness or depression, which can increase the risk of suicide
- Possible errors in the registration of deaths, although this probably does not explain the full impact
The next time it’s your birthday, consider celebrating with a nice cup of mint tea and a good book. After all, the best gift you can give yourself is to make it to your next birthday.
Earlier:
• Peaches the skunk enjoys a birthday cupcake (video)