Reasons why more people die during the holidays

There are some things that you can do to ensure that health-wise your next Christmas and New Year will be merry and happy. For the past 2 decades, I have noticed an interesting phenomenon.

In the community where I live, there is always an increase in the number of deaths between December 25 and January 1. Some experts blame it on holiday drinking and or drunk driving.

If you have noticed this taking place in your neck of the woods you may be wondering about it as well. Let’s look at some other possible reasons why death increases around the holidays. People die every day, so it’s to be expected that someone will pass away each day of the year.

I had a cousin who died on December 23 in 1987, but it was because he fell trying to get out of the bathtub and hit his head. Freak accidents and drinking and driving are not the norm, so something else must be going on.

Let us consider what the colder climate may have to do with this situation. We already know that December and January in many locations are the coldest months of the year, and also the cold and flu season.

Pneumonia can set in and become deadly, especially in older adults. Elderly people who fall also run the risk of getting pneumonia and dying. This is because while lying in bed, their lungs cannot expand as they should, and fluid builds up.

Since 202, COVID is a factor. As I update this article in December 2025, I have been made aware that new strains are affecting local nursing homes. Low temperatures and weather that goes from warm to freezing quickly might take a toll on individuals who have underlying health conditions.

According to the Journal of Circumpular Health, one half of excess winter deaths are due to coronary thrombosis, which is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel of the heart. This clot may restrict blood flow within the heart, and lead to tissue damage, or a heart attack AKA myocardial infarction.

These health issues usually appear about two days after the peak of a cold spell. The other half of the remaining winter deaths are caused by respiratory disease, and these tend to peak about 12 days after a peak cold spell.

The major reason for the rapid coronary deaths is haemoconcentration , which is an increase in the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. This is usually due to a reduction in the volume of blood plasma, as the number of red blood cells does not change.

Haemoconcentration results from dehydration and causes increased blood viscosity. The shift in fluid is what leads to death. During the summer, haemoconcentration causes heat-related deaths because of a loss of water, salt, and sweat.

The medical community has been advising older adults for decades that shoveling snow can cause heart attacks and death. We also need to consider that some people may not have adequate heating in their homes and this makes them more susceptible to colds, flu, and pneumonia.

There is also another factor to consider, which is the Winter Solstice. December 21 is the day with the longest night of each year. Even so, it takes time for days to lengthen so it still gets dark pretty early during the last week of the year.

Some people become depressed during this time, and studies indicate that suicide and murder/suicide increase. This is the time of year when SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder takes hold. There have been times when I was out around 5:30-7:30 PM in December just before Christmas, and it was as if I could feel the darkness.

It was as if the blackness of night was enveloping me and I longed to get back in the house where I could turn on some light. Consider if you will that some people may not have had the holiday they desired, or are reminiscing about Christmas and New Year's past.

Fond memories of deceased loved ones can come back with a vengeance and turn to a longing to be with those family members again. Older people especially, may find they strongly to be with their deceased family members.

They may decide without saying a word that they are tired of living and just decide to give up. Putting this all into perspective, we know that sunlight increases feel-good endorphins, so the darkness is probably doing the opposite.

People who are distressed during the holiday season may not be able to fight the distressing thoughts until the light of spring is upon us. Depression can cause individuals to stop taking their medications, not eat right and make other decisions that are not in their best interest.

The colder temperatures may cause some people to delay doctor appointments or surgery because they don't like going out in adverse weather. I have also listened to far too many people share how they over eat during the holidays and end up in the hospital with their blood pressure elevated.

High blood pressure is also a known cause of heart attack, stroke, and death. Please keep these things in mind and be sure to wrap up well and stay warm when temperatures plummet. If you can please check on the elderly in your life and make sure they are doing what they need to remain healthy.