When a Vice Becomes a Virtue

Perhaps there is no need after-all to turn over a new leaf after reading through this as you will find that some of the vices you currently partake in can actually be of benefit to you.

Anger

It is now understood that losing the plot can actually have major health benefits. People who respond to stressful situations by letting off steam, losing the plot, or just ranting and raving a bit were found to have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol (which can lead to heart disease). Let us not forget, of course, that showing anger also promotes feelings of control, which can also lead to a feeling of self-satisfaction.

Avoiding Housework

Studies have found that the use of too many cleaning products can actually be the main cause of asthma, especially in very young or even un-born children. The exposure to chemicals in cleaning products have been linked to a 41 per cent increase in the likelihood of a child developing asthma by the age of seven. So if you don’t want your child to get asthma, don’t do as much cleaning!

Fidgeting

Breaking news, fidgeting can help people stay slim. Those that regularly twitch, tap, stretch or even yawn can burn up to 350 extra calories every single day. Recent research has shown that there is a staggering difference in levels of fidgeting between slim people and those that are obese. Don’t worry if you are not already the type of person that fidgets, it is a very easy habit to pick up, and it could lead to a weight-loss of 10 to 30lbs a year.

Fizzy Drinks

Everybody knows that fizzy drinks get a bad rap because they can be blamed for rotting teeth, but how many people knew that the sugar contained within fizzy drinks can actually aid short-term memory. A study at the Caledonian University in Glasgow found that the part of the brain that declines with the onset of dementia can become more active after the consumption of fizzy drinks.

Gambling

Gambling may lose you money but it can also boost your health. Well, gambling in moderation that is. In a study of people over the age of 65, even just a weekly visit to the bingo or to the horse-racing boosted energy levels. It also helped to keep the brain active and was found to help prevent the onset of depression and dementia.

Lazing About

It is said that people who laze about are destined to have problems due to lack of exercise, recent studies, however, have shown that lazy people may actually live longer. Couch potatoes will be pleased to hear that doing nothing can actually help them live to a ripe old age. Research has shown that people who run long distances into their fifties use up most energy that they need for cell renewal and fighting disease. Lazing about can counteract stress and people who like to take a midday nap instead of exercising have a better chance of living longer.

Loud Music

It is said that the first sign of maturity is when you realise that the CD player volume also goes down. It has been found that loud music can trigger happy hormones, so keep it loud to keep happy. It all comes down to the way the brain reacts to the way the inner ear reacts to the loud music. Something to do with a connection between the drives of sex, hunger and hedonistic responses; this in turn satisfies the brain which is then stimulated into releasing feel-good hormones.

Swearing

Have you ever wondered why so many people who never swear always let out a bit of swearing when they hit themselves? (Think of a joiner hitting their thumb with a hammer) Well, studies have found that the reason may be a sub-conscious way of dealing with the pain. In a recent study students were asked to plunge their hands into tubs of freezing water while swearing. The results showed that, on average, by swearing they could withstand the pain of the frozen water for 40 seconds more than if they weren’t swearing. Apparently swearing increases aggression levels which actually lowers people’s sensitivity to pain.

In closing, it would appear that many of the things that we would class as vices can actually be virtues. Well, to some extent anyway. The best way to have a healthy and long life would appear to include sitting on the couch, fidgeting while consuming fizzy drinks, listening to loud music as you avoid the housework, swearing and showing bouts of anger every so often. Apparently that is the way forward. Allegedly.