Is it possible that spending a little time in the tropics or living in the tropics might actually translate to health benefits? In other words, can a tropical life or tropical lifestyle actually improve your health and make you perhaps even live a little longer?

No doubt these are powerful questions, and researchers have provided us with some tantalizing answers. The first point to consider is the impact that stress can have on the human body. When your body is exposed to stress for too long of a period of time, it can become damaged due to the effects of a powerful hormone called cortisol.

Too much cortisol can result in signs of aging, such as wrinkles and even gray hair! However, the relaxation and slower pace of tropical life can reduce the amount of cortisol in the body. As a result, you will look and feel better when you are enjoying the tropics.

There is another important way that a tropical life might be able to help you live a longer, healthier life. When we spend time in the sun, our bodies use that sunlight to produce natural vitamin D. As it turns out, most of us don't receive enough sunlight and, as a result, our vitamin D levels are lacking. Unfortunately, a variety of health problems have been linked to a lack of Vitamin D, including cancer.

Living a tropical life almost guarantees that you will receive enough vitamin D. After all with beautiful beaches and lots of sunny days, why wouldn't you be enjoying the great outdoors? Just remember to bring sunscreen!