15 Bad Habits That Are Actually Good For You (2023)

Many of us spend a lot of time blaming ourselves for making bad decisions or adopting bad habits, whether it's eating ice cream, trying to stick to a diet, sleeping late, or skipping the spinning class we promised each other. d appear for. And there are certainly instances where it's taken to extremes - if you're completely sedentary, smoke like a chimney, drink like a fish, eat junk food, and basically completely disregard your health and well-being, then you definitely need to work on breaking those habits.

However, for most of us, giving in to bad habits every now and then isn't the worst thing - in fact, there are some bad habits that have surprising benefits that you might never have thought about. Researchers are constantly learning and evolving, and new studies continue to unearth data on the surprising benefits of certain behaviors or substances.

So the next time someone shames you (or you shame yourself) for your bad habits, don't worry—because these 15 bad habits are actually good for you. Sometimes you just need to relax and let yourself be pampered a little.

15Applaud

Okay, let's be honest for a second - most of us get a little bit of a thrill from clapping. Of course, we know it might not be the nicest thing in the world, and most of us will try to stop the really cruel gossip. However, it can be a lot of fun discussing one friend's new romance with your other friend, or speculating about why your co-worker keeps disappearing during his lunch break or being late with crazy sex hair. If your love of gossip keeps you on your toes, you might really be in luck - studies suggest that gossip can actually have some benefits. It can help you connect with whoever you're gossiping about, it can help you learn a little more about the people and situations around you, and laughing at outrageous gossip can release some feel-good hormones that help control your mood. stress and fight fear.

14drink coffee

Most of us have heard that drinking coffee is terrible for you - it causes heart problems, stunts your growth, affects sleep quality, the list of possible negative effects is endless. It can be disheartening to hear information like this, because honestly, who doesn't like to wake up to a steaming cup of coffee or indulge in a frothy latte when an afternoon catches up with me? Well, Java lovers, today is your lucky day. Coffee is actually full of antioxidants, and some studies have shown that it has many health benefits. Some of the chemicals in your caffeinated drink can help fight Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, liver cancer and even improve memory. In addition, some studies show that women who drink two or three cups a day have a 15% lower risk of developing depression. So the next time you get embarrassed over an afternoon cappuccino, say you're just improving your health!

13restless

So many kids get scolded for not being able to sit still, and as an adult, you might still have the idea that moving around is a terrible habit, but it turns out moving can be a good thing—at least for your waistline. Everyone knows that in addition to trying to make time for exercise, you should make an effort to include more general activities in your life, like going to school. For example, parking further away from your destination or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Fidgeting is just another way to get active! Research shows that it can burn a few hundred extra calories a day, which means you'll have an easier time shedding those last few pounds. Well, if you absolutely can't sit still and are constantly fidgeting even though you know you shouldn't, that might be a different problem - but if your leg is always shaking when you're watching TV or just sitting at your desk, it might be one thing. good.

12Avoid showering/washing your hair every day

Okay, it's obviously not good for your health - or your social life - if you're showering constantly and smelling nauseating 24/7. you have to stay clean However, if you miss a shower every now and then, it might not be the worst thing in the world. First, using less water helps the environment. And second, daily washing can actually strip your skin of some of the natural oils that help keep it looking supple and youthful, or it can severely dry out your hair and cause your scalp to itch. Of course, if you've been through a grueling workout and had a particularly sweaty day, you shouldn't skip the shower. However, if you're walking around the house, chilling and watching Netflix and you just don't want to shower, that's fine. Your skin and hair could use a little slack - just be careful not to leave it on for too long or any benefits will be outweighed by its noxious smell.

11Lose control

Everyone knows that you should never lose your cool and always stay calm no matter what situation you find yourself in, right? Well... not exactly. You definitely don't want to go too far and constantly spray aggression and anger at everyone for even the smallest of problems - no one wants to spend time with someone who behaves like this. However, bottling is not always the best solution. Losing your temper every now and then, even if it's just in the form of air coming home from a terrible day at work, or in the car telling your spouse how you were just treated at the gas station can really reduce the effects of stress . In fact, a Swedish study found that men who were treated unfairly at work and then vented their anger on the situation instead of venting it in time actually doubled their risk of suffering a heart attack - so sometimes you just need to vent.

10tanned

(Video) 13 Bad Habits That Are Actually Good For You

Thanks to all the horror stories about skin cancer and sun protection, many people are spending more time indoors these days, or only venturing outside if they're covered in fabric from head to toe. Now no one is saying you should grease yourself up and lie in the sun burning like a piece of bacon for an entire day - that's just a disaster waiting for you. You should definitely make sure to put on some sunscreen before spending any time outdoors, and you shouldn't be outside long enough to cause possible heat stroke. However, several studies have been conducted showing that a few minutes spent outdoors soaking up the sun's rays really does help provide you with the much-needed dose of vitamin D, which can do everything from fighting rickets to fighting off colds and flu. What is the magic number? Experts say you should cover up after your skin has soaked up the sun (without sunscreen) for about 10 minutes.

9Junk food

Okay, wait a minute - this is definitely not an excuse to fill your body with fast food and pack ready meals. Junk food in large quantities is obviously bad for your health and well-being and you should strive to eat a wholesome, wholesome food diet. However, constantly denying yourself all the treats you crave because you follow a healthy diet at all costs will also get you into trouble. The solution is to treat yourself once in a while, even if it's something like junk food. This will give you a much-needed mental boost (nobody can sustain a diet of lettuce and rice cakes forever), and it can also help keep you motivated to stick to your healthy lifestyle. Sometimes fighting your urges just drives you crazy and takes a lot more effort than it's worth. If you like cake, we're not saying you should have an entire three-layer cake all by itself—but having a slice every now and then is actually a good thing.

8sleep in

Many people think that late sleepers are lazy - they just aren't motivated or disciplined enough to wake up when the sun comes up. In fact, many people consistently sleep less during the workweek than is necessary to accommodate their busy schedules. So when the weekend rolls around, getting a few extra hours can be a good thing. Plus, waking up when your circadian rhythm is telling you it's time to get up, rather than dragging yourself out of bed just because your alarm clock is going off, can really help keep your metabolism high. And as if that weren't enough, those who don't get enough sleep are often more tempted to eat larger portions and choose options that may not be as healthy. If you consistently sleep 12 hours a day on weekends, you may have other health issues that need to be investigated. But what if you slept until 11am on Saturday instead of waking up at 8am to head to the farmers market before everyone else? That is good.

7chewing gum

While most people don't see chewing gum as the worst habit anyone could have, it's still seen as simply unnecessary. After all, you're not getting any nourishment from that piece of gum, all that repetitive motion can take its toll on your jaw, and let's face it, chewing or chewing gum constantly with your mouth open can be annoying to those around you. Those who leave work easily might want to grab a few packets of the mint treat, because chewing gum can really help you focus. A study of students at the University of St. Louis found that students who took a test while chewing gum performed better on several tests of cognitive function than those who didn't chew gum. So the next time you have a big project at work and you really need to focus, throw in some mint gum.

6be confused

If you're an average person, you probably constantly wish your home looked more Pinterest-worthy, that things were always clean and shiny, and that you could invite unexpected guests without running in a panic and tidying up. A tidy space is seen as something worth striving for. For those of you who just can't help things getting messy for more than a few minutes, you can take solace in the fact that your messiness might actually be a good thing. In a study published inpsychological sciencemagazine, scientists discovered that a chaotic environment can actually be great for creative thinking. While participants in a clutter-free space in the study were more likely to donate money or choose a healthier food option, those in a clutter-free environment were able to find more creative problem solutions and think outside the box. So if you're into creative work and your desk is a bit of a mess - this is perfect!

5be a chocologist

Everyone knows that sweets and similar treats should be eaten in moderation - they can certainly be incorporated into a healthy diet, but cake and ice cream aren't something you can have for dinner every day, however much your inner child might want to. However, if your favorite treat is chocolate, you might be in luck. While a chocolate bar isn't the main dish, a few squares can be a fantastic addition to your daily diet. Dark chocolate is packed with a compound called flavonoids, which play a role in preventing a range of diseases and health problems, from cancer to stroke. Just make sure you opt for dark chocolate to satisfy your cravings - something like white chocolate doesn't have the same health benefits, so just add more sugar to your diet. Hey, if you mean the doctor recommends you eat a few pieces of quality dark chocolate every night, we're not going to stop you.

4playing video games

Everyone knows that a sedentary lifestyle isn't good - we're constantly being told to take a little break every now and then to walk around, exercise and get our butts off our chairs. So it makes sense that the kind of video games that make you flop on the couch and not move for hours is a bad habit you'd want to break, right? In truth. Video games, like many other things, can definitely be addictive, and if you close the blinds and give up all plans with friends to spend a few more hours playing your game of choice, it's definitely not healthy. However, they actually have some amazing benefits. Studies have shown that children who play video games after chemotherapy use less pain-relieving medication, and people with back pain and burns also find that the immersive nature of video games can distract them from their discomfort.

3biting nails

Anyone who has ever struggled with the bad habit of nail biting knows that this is not good at all, right? After all, you're just shoving your dirty, germy hands in your mouth after playing god knows what all day. However, the terrifying element of nail biting – getting all those germs into your system – can also be a surprising benefit. Biting your nails can help boost your immunity to dirt and germs, because chewing means you're introducing germs into your body in small doses. Of course, there are other downsides to this habit too—many serious nail biters have experienced the pain of biting off a little too much—and if you want beautiful nails straight out of a nail polish commercial, you might want to get your habit under control. However, if it's an occasional bad habit that you form when you're nervous, it's actually not as bad as you think it is for your health.

2cursing

Most adults probably remember being scolded for bad language as a child, and for many, swearing is still considered a bad habit. After all, there are far more eloquent ways to express yourself than through a series of swear words that you don't want to repeat in front of the kids. However, swearing is not all bad. Dr Richard Stephens of Keele University led a study that found that swearing can actually be an effective pain reliever. So if you swear every time you tell a story, maybe you're taking it too far - maybe use your own swear word and try to break the habit. However, if you're tempted to curse when you stub your toe on a table or touch something a little too hot, do it — the people in the study who cursed while dipping their hand in a bucket of ice water were able to to tolerate the cold 50% longer than those who were silent.

1have a drink

While some see drinking as a bad habit no matter what you drink, there's no doubt that perhaps beer is the most frowned upon. Finally, wine drinkers are often portrayed as insightful connoisseurs, while in popular culture beer drinkers are often portrayed as beer-bellied individuals or oversized frat brothers. However, the next time you feel guilty about ordering a beer instead of a pinot noir, don't - beer is actually good for you, in small doses. Barley malt, which is used to make most beer, contains the same antioxidants as red wine! And beer also contains a lot of vitamin B6 and silica, both of which are good for your health. Of course, it still packs in calories, so make sure you're consuming it in moderation - but ultimately, relaxing with a cold drink after a long, hard day isn't such a bad habit.

Sources:theglobeandmail.com,realbuzz.com,hektik.com,Yahoo.com