Tag Archive for: Christmas

Merry Christmas

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Paula,
our family, and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. As you can see,
our grandson Riley has talked to Santa and he’s ready!

No matter what your beliefs, every religion has a time for peace. We wish you peace today and every day. May your travels be safe, your holiday joyful, and your heart be thankful for your blessings. I hope that is what you’re prepared to do today and tomorrow.

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Santa, Rudolph, and Merry Christmas!

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The final question about Santa Claus has to do with his girth. How can he deliver gifts all over the world in one night while being so heavy? Here’s something that we all need to understand: just because people are overweight, that doesn’t mean they can’t be fit.

Fat and fit? You better believe it. The problem is that we have so few heavy people who move into a high fitness category. But if they do, they can be fit according to a classic definition of fitness: the amount of oxygen used per kilogram of body weight per minute. Santa most likely qualifies; he must work out hard in the off season.

Would it be better to be leaner? Probably but remember, he’s a fictional character. I think we need to worry more about ourselves. But that’s a Memo for another time.

Rudolph’s Red Nose

I got a great question related to this week’s Christmas theme: why is Rudolph’s nose red? I couldn’t pretend to figure out that one, but wouldn’t you know it, someone else did. You can read about it in this news release from Johns Hopkins faculty and staff (1). They also diagnose the Grinch’s heart and explain how Scrooge could travel through time. The writing isn’t excessively scientific, so it might be something you could share with the older kids in your life who’ve grown skeptical about the magic of Christmas.

The Bottom Line

We hope you had fun with this week’s Memos. Health news can be overwhelming. As you prepare for this holiday, safe travels, and enjoy the time with family and friends. I’ll resume the Memos next Thursday with some ideas for your 2018 health goals.

From Paula and I, Merry Christmas, happy Kwanza, happy Dhanu Sankranti, we hope your Hanukkah was happy, a belated Happy Mawlid al-Nabi, and Happy Holidays to everyone! If we missed your holiday, let us know and we’ll be sure to include it next year. What’s important is that we all enjoy our holiday festivities and our family and friends, and we get to eat our special holiday foods.

What are you prepared to do today?

Dr. Chet

 

Reference: http://releases.jhu.edu/2017/12/04/johns-hopkins-scientists-explain-rudolph-grinch-scrooge/

 

Why Does Santa Have Dimples?

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Let’s continue with our light-hearted look at science and health by answering a major question about the Christmas icon Santa Claus: What causes his dimples? Wait a minute, wait a minute. Dimples? Yes, it’s right there in the poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas”:

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!

Sometimes they’re hidden by his moustache and beard, of course. But what causes dimples?

The primary cause is actually genetic and comes from a difference in the zygomaticus major muscle, the muscle that attaches to the corner of the mouth and pulls up and back when contracted, i.e., when you smile. Some people have a double smile muscle, and others have a Y-shaped muscle; with two points of attachment on the upper portion, the extra attachment causes the dimple.

Dimples become more pronounced when you smile. There’s also another reason dimples become deeper—you carry more fat in your face. Santa’s pretty chubby, so it’s no surprise he has dimples.

One more on Saturday.

What are you prepared to do today?

Dr. Chet

 

Why Do Santa’s Eyes Twinkle?

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Whenever you see Santa Claus, he always seems to have a twinkle in his eye. You might notice that in people as well; Paula did and asked me to find out how that happens. Whether you’re Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or anything else, if you live in the U.S., you’ve probably heard lots of Christmas lore, so let’s find out why Santa’s eyes twinkle.

There appears to be two reasons. First, it conveys some form of emotion. The eyes release tears that are spread over the eyeball, just enough to make them seem slightly misted. As the light hits someone’s eyes, they appear to twinkle or sparkle.

The second reason also has to do with light. The effect seems to be greater when someone’s eyes are dilated, as from walking from a dark room into the light. Combined with the emotional misting, it really makes someone’s eyes twinkle.

Understanding why it happens doesn’t make it less meaningful—those twinkling eyes are really glad to see you, just like Santa who seems glad to see everyone. We’ll explore the science behind Santa’s dimples on Thursday.

Happy Hanukkah, a belated Happy Mawlid al-Nabi, happy Dhanu Sankranti, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to everyone!

What are you prepared to do today?

Dr. Chet