When Naughty Can Be Nice!

Why be a goody-two-shoes when science proves that some tasks we scold ourselves for can boost our well-being and happiness? Jo Upcraft tells you how to rebel for the sake of your health.

- Jo Upcraft

READING EROTICA

Indulging in a few sexy stories can be mentally and – potentially physically – good for us. Naughty prose is a great, perfectly harmless way to de-stress. “It takes your mind off everyday life, cheers you up and fuels your imagination,” says Eadren Tan, life coach and educator-at-large at Brainzworkz.

All those steamy suggestions can only be carried over to the bedroom – because we all know how awesome making love is for cardio, releasing endorphins and working body parts many of us don’t even know exist.

MINDING YOUR LANGUAGE

Researchers in the UK found that saying any expletive out loud can make you feel better. Experts asked 64 students to put their hands in ice buckets for several minutes. One group was allowed to swear, the other had to keep quiet. The group that lasted the longest – and reportedly suffered less agony – were those sprouting profanities. No s**t.

FIDGETING RESTLESSLY

Playing with your hair, shaking your leg, drumming your fingers, doodling – you were told as a child to stop being so restless and just stay still. Well, Mum and every other adult was wrong about fidgeting.

It’s to do with this thing called non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) – or the energy expended for everything we do that is not sleeping, eating or sports-like. Fidgeting – continuous but small actions – increases NEAT, which helps with losing weight and your overall health.

LISTENING TO LOUD MUSIC

Research by the University of Manchester in Britain found that the greater the intensity of music, the more pleasure it brings. This is due to our vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and carries vibrations with positive messages to the brain.