“To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose.”
No matter the source you cite, the line may inspire a tune to pop up in your head. For me, it’s The Byrds (Turn! Turn! Turn!).
A new study shows that “a time to heal” may be the afternoon. Specifically, “Patients undergoing open heart surgery in the afternoon have a lower risk of potentially fatal complications than those undergoing operations in the morning,” summarizes an article in The Guardian.
The study, which was carried out at France’s Lille University Hospital, split 596 patients receiving the same aortic valve replacement to undergo the procedure in either the morning or afternoon. Results showed that afternoon patients had a lower incidence of “major adverse cardiac events”. While there could be other factors contributing to this result, timing does seem to play a role. With such a physically invasive and complicated procedure, risks are high, and any opportunity for improvement could be welcome news for patients, families, and caregivers.
So what gives? The study suggests that circadian rhythms may be impacting the situation. Just as the entire body changes over a person’s lifespan, changes can take place even across a single day. For any number of reasons, your body’s got rhythm, and circadian (from the Latin circa, meaning ‘around’) cycles can have you up and boogieing sometimes and ready to rest at others. Studies suggest that most heart attacks — and the most serious heart attacks — occur in the morning. By afternoon, perhaps, the heart is more relaxed and better equipped to deal with the added stress of surgery.
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Is this where we make the connection to surveys? Is it that time?
Funny you should ask.
Think about this: When do you prefer to do each of the following?
- Brush your teeth
- Buy a birthday present
- Celebrate the new year
For me, as well as for you, there’s a time for each of these things. I prefer to brush my teeth after a meal, buy a birthday present a week or two in advance of the big day (ideally!), and celebrate the new year when the clock strikes 12 on January 1.
There’s a cycle to everything, and you don’t have to be a heart surgeon to notice. Fall is in full swing here in Virginia, with leaves going out in a blaze of glory. With Election Day just wrapped up, it’s time for another electoral cycle to begin (if it ever ends). I’m starting to think about Thanksgiving, which means inventing something original and yet traditional to serve with our big meal — but I’ve still got a few weeks to figure it out, thankfully.
Surveys? Sure. Some surveys should happen at the same time each year, just like New Year’s Day. Some surveys should go out in anticipation in an event (conference, retreat), a product launch, or some other upcoming big deal (birthday!). Finally, some make the most sense as a result of a trigger (eat meal, brush teeth) — product purchase, webinar attendance, etc.
With so much going on all the time, it’s good to know that there’s a right time for everything. Make the most of timing to keep stress low, your heart healthy, your teeth clean, and your surveys successful.
If now’s the right time for you to connect with us, we’re ready!
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