Guilty Pleasures That Can Be Good For You

Good news! Ice cream isn’t as bad for you as you might think. Want to know what other guilty pleasures aren’t so bad after all? Read on!

Top Guilty Pleasures

Here are 15 guilty pleasures that can actually be really good for you:

1. Ice Cream

While you shouldn’t go overboard, there’s no need to feel guilty about indulging in a scoop every now and then.

This delicious treat has a hefty dose of calcium, which you need for strong bones. Plus, it’s filling and satisfying, which may prevent you from overdoing it on other foods.

Moderation is key. So, check your serving sizes, and dive in!

2. Video Games

Video games often get a bad rap. They are blamed for aggression, lack of focus, and bad behavior in children.

But researchers have found that playing certain video games in moderation can have a number of benefits. Apparently, they may be able to help us improve in all these areas:

Hand-eye coordination;

Vision;

Learning speed;

Spatial awareness;

Mental focus;

Estimating skills.

Want to know what other guilty pleasures aren’t so bad after all? Click through to find out!

3. Dirt

Need a reason to put off dusting and vacuuming? Try this!

Some researchers believe kids who are exposed to germs at a young age are less prone to developing allergies later on.

But while a “dose of dirt” may be a boost to the immune system — you’re still advised to keep up with hand-washing to avoid catching the flu and other nasty bugs.

4. Swearing

Letting expletives fly in the heat of the moment could actually be good for you, according to at least one study. That’s because swearing is believed to act as a pain reliever.

However, don’t expect this to work if you’re a chronic swearer. Those who habitually drop swear words into everyday conversation supposedly don’t receive the benefit of increased pain tolerance.

5. Beer

Beer tends to have a reputation as an unhealthy drink — that could end up giving you a beer belly, or worse.

And while beer is definitely not a low-calorie choice, drinking it in moderation (think 1 beer instead of 4) could actually do you some good.

Beers — especially darker brews — are chock full of antioxidants.

The ingredient hops contains polyphenols — which can lower cholesterol, and may even fight cancer.

Beer may also help rebuild muscle.

And in some cases, beer has even been shown to hydrate better than water in hot weather.

6. Coffee

You probably know that too much coffee is not great for you. It will leave you irritable, anxious, and deprived of sleep.

But it turns out that coffee in moderation may have potential benefits, such as these:

– Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

– Less chance of developing skin cancer.

– Overall lower risk of death.

For best results, try to stick to just 2 to 3 cups of Joe per day. Find out more guilty pleasures in the next slides!

7. Texting Instead Of Talking

The lack of face-to-face interaction involved in text messaging might make it seem like we’re headed in the direction of communication breakdown.

But at least one study found that a majority of teens and parents feel texting helps improve their relationship. The reason? “Texting allows kids to stay in touch without feeling that their parents are intruding too much into their lives.”

8. Fidgeting

In this day and age, we spend a lot of time working on computers, surfing the web, fiddling with apps, and watching TV.

Sitting for long periods could be shortening your life.

But there’s one easy fix anyone can try — fidgeting! Breaking up all that sitting time is key to staying healthy. And fidgeting is an easy step in the right direction.

9. Funny Movies

Don’t feel bad if you prefer watching stupid comedies to more highbrow dramas.

According to researchers, when volunteers watched funny movies like ‘Something About Mary,’ the lining of their blood vessels expanded. However, when they watched a more stressful film like ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ their blood vessels constricted.

Their conclusion? “It is very possible that laughing on a regular basis may be useful to incorporate as part of an overall healthy lifestyle to prevent heart disease. In other words, eat your veggies, exercise and get a good belly laugh every day.

10. Daydreaming

Daydreamers are often thought of as lazy because it looks as if they are wasting time doing nothing.

But daydreaming is now believed to have a number of advantages. It can help you:

– Find better ways to manage conflict;

– Be more productive;

– Come up with creative ideas;

– Achieve goals;

– Get rid of boredom.

11. Loud Music

The risk of suffering hearing loss as a result of loud noise is well known.

On the flip side, researchers at Manchester University have discovered that listening to loud music can also stimulate your brain — and make you feel good — during and after listening.

Don’t turn up the volume too high, though — remember that listening to music that is too loud, for too long can cause deafness.

12. Unmade Beds

Your mom probably always told you to make your bed. But just this once, you may have a reason to ignore her advice.

Some researchers have found that dust mites — common culprits for asthma and other allergies — can’t survive in an unmade bed. Why not? They prefer the damper conditions created by a properly made bed. Unmade beds are simply too dry.

13. Sunshine

Worries about wrinkles, sunspots, freckles, sunburn, and skin cancer. That’s what causes many of us to avoid the sun or slap on loads of sunblock before venturing outside.

But there’s a fine line between too much sun — and not enough.

While overindulging in sun exposure isn’t recommended, there are some important benefits to be gained from regular doses of sunshine:

– Sunlight is a valuable source of Vitamin D, which may help keep you healthy.

– It may also provide some protection against certain types of cancer.

– And, it can improve your mood.

14. Chocolate

It’s hard to believe that something so deliciously addictive and moreish as chocolate could be good for you.

But some studies suggest that chocolate’s antioxidants — which are especially prevalent in the darker varieties — could work too:

– Reduce blood pressure.

– Improve circulation.

– Lower the risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart attack.

For the best results, experts advise selecting dark chocolate with a 65% or higher cocoa content…and restricting yourself to 3 ounces or less per day to avoid unwanted weight gain.

15. Sex

It turns out that sex can be good for you in more ways than simply the pleasure of the moment.

Healthy sex life may also:

– Reduce stress

– Burn calories

– Improve circulation