When you were born may influence your life.
In addition to sunnier skies, spring has a way of bringing about sunnier dispositions — and that’s never more true than for those who are spring babies.
This outlook is not some far-fetched astrology reading. Emerging research continues to suggest that your birth season can impact your health and personality. Scientists have examined how it relates to disease risk, creativity and more.
Below are a few ways being born during the springtime may affect your health and well-being:
You may be less at risk for a mental health disorder.
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A 2010 study on mice suggests that those born in the winter were more likely to develop a mental health condition than those born in warmer months.
Researchers analyzed the biological clocks — a factor in mood regulation — of animals born in the dim light of winter compared to those in brighter seasons. The mice born in the winter seemingly had a greater disruption in their biological clocks later in life. This could possibly explain why people who are born in the winter may be more susceptible to mental illnesses such as seasonal affective disorder, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, according to the researchers.
It’s important to reiterate that the study was only conducted in mice, so it’s not entirely conclusive on the effect it may have on humans. However, it does provide interesting insight into how birth order may potentially affect mood and behavior.
You may be more optimistic.
A brighter season = A brighter outlook? A 2014 study conducted by researchers in Hungary found that people born in springtime were more likely to have a “hyperthymic temperament,” a characteristic associated with being overly positive. And there are certainly some perks to a glass-half-full mentality. Research suggests optimism can improve your mood and even boost your immune system.
But your risk for heart problems is higher.
Here’s some bad news: According to a study by data scientists at Columbia University, people who were born in March are more likely to have heart issues, such as atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. The same research also found that July and October babies may be more at risk for asthma, and winter babies may have a higher risk of neurological problems.
Making smart choices when it comes to protecting your heart is crucial to living a long life. A balanced diet, exercise and eliminating unhealthy behaviors like smoking are all paramount to protecting yourself against heart disease — no matter which month you were born.
A brighter season = A brighter outlook? A 2014 study conducted by researchers in Hungary found that people born in springtime were more likely to have a “hyperthymic temperament,” a characteristic associated with being overly positive. And there are certainly some perks to a glass-half-full mentality. Research suggests optimism can improve your mood and even boost your immune system.
But your risk for heart problems is higher.
Here’s some bad news: According to a study by data scientists at Columbia University, people who were born in March are more likely to have heart issues, such as atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. The same research also found that July and October babies may be more at risk for asthma, and winter babies may have a higher risk of neurological problems.
Making smart choices when it comes to protecting your heart is crucial to living a long life. A balanced diet, exercise and eliminating unhealthy behaviors like smoking are all paramount to protecting yourself against heart disease — no matter which month you were born.
You could be more creative.
Your innovative brain might have to do with your birth season, according to data published in the journal Comprehensive Psychology. Researcher Mark Hamilton from the University of Connecticut analyzed more than 300 public figures — from celebrities and artists to and scientists and politicians — as a hallmark of creativity. He discovered that the majority of them were born in “wet” months (think the astrological signs associated with winter and early spring), thus potentially more likely to be creative.
You’re more likely to become a leader.
Go on, climb that ladder of success. A study conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia in Canada found that babies born in March and April were more likely to become company leaders than those born in the summer months. The research analyzed 375 CEOs’ birthdates from S&P 500 companies between 1992 and 2009.
The concept comes down to age and development in school. Those who were born in early spring are likely to be some of the oldest members of their class based on the structure of grades and age, and, thus, the leaders of the pack in a way, according to the research. As study co-author Maurice Levi put it, early success can lead to greater opportunities later in life:
Older children within the same grade tend to do better than the youngest, who are less intellectually developed. Early success is often rewarded with leadership roles and enriched learning opportunities, leading to future advantages that are magnified throughout life.
Of course, it’s crucial to note all of this research is hardly definitive. There’s no real evidence in any of the studies that suggests there’s a causation, which is needed in order to draw a formal conclusion. In other words, your destiny is not defined by your date of birth but rather your own personal choices.
But, hey. Who are you to argue with suggestive science if you’re determined to become an innovative and optimistic CEO?
H/T: Huffington Post