9 'Bad' Habits That Are Actually Good

These little habits aren't so terrible after all.

Guilt be gone! Science has once again come to our rescue. It turns out lots of those little habits we thought were so bad aren't that terrible after all.

While hurling the f-bomb at work or snacking on pounds of chocolate may not be the best thing for you, giving yourself permission to express your feelings or nibbling on a Kit-Kat bar actually are. So instead of bashing yourself for indulging in a little fun, consider these so-called bad habits that are actually healthy for you.

1. Sunlight: While too much of Mr. Golden Sun can lead to melanoma and other serious types of skin cancers, catching a few UVB rays each day offers healthy benefits, in addition to a glow. Dermatologist say 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure - without sunscreen - can generate a day's worth of vitamin D, which our bodies need. Vitamin D has been found to help us absorb calcium, maintain strong bones and also ward off osteoporosis and high blood pressure. If you have a pale complexion and need to load up on the SPF 50, you can get your vitamin D from the foods you eat, such as eggs, fish and fortified milk.

2. Doodling: "Kinesthetic learners need to be doing something with their bodies while they are listening to you," says Frances Cole Jones, author of The Wow Factor: The 33 Things You Must (and Must Not) Do to Guarantee Your Edge in Today's Business World. "It helps them remember what you say by embedding the information in their body. If you take their pens away, they stop listening." So instead of getting mad at your colleague for sketching on the edge of her pad during your talk, consider her ability to listen best through her fidgety movements to incorporate what you're saying into her mind, body and spirit.

3. Cursing: According to California State University psychology professor Ramani Durvasula, establishing swearing zones can actually help release pent-up emotions. Whether it's at the cocktail lounge with girlfriends or in a special room of your own, indulging in a few curse words under controlled conditions can actually keep you on track emotionally. Dr. Svetlana Kogan, founder of Doctors at Trump Place, points to an American Psychological Association article that shows venting anger can have positive side effects. "When short-term anger is often played out," says Dr. Kogan, "it is often beneficial, especially if used in a constructive fashion." She even says that, while screaming at your spouse may not be good, speaking in a slightly higher pitch can help grab his attention while you state your case.

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4. Coffee: You do not have to completely ban the java - just drink it responsibly. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that coffee has been known to decrease the likelihood of Parkinson's Disease - at least in men. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke found that postmenopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy may actually increase the risk of Parkinson's if they drink five or more cups of caffeine a day. The National Institute of Health reported a positive relationship between coffee consumption and a reduced risk of Type-2 diabetes as well.

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5. Gossiping: Our need for being heard is also sometimes expressed around the water cooler. Gossiping is really about the need to connect with others. "Gossip is human nature," says Dr. Durvasula, of California State University. "We have been doing it since there were three of us in a tribe. It is part of the social order and it is part of social learning. It requires some mindfulness to avoid unnecessary hurt, however." So while we move in the 'zone of social comparison,' as he puts it, we are actually acting like the social creatures we are. Mindfulness is indeed important so we need to remember our manners while hanging out in our social environment.

6. Chocolate: According to a recent study by the German Institute of Human Nutrition, published in the March 2010 issue of European Heart Journal, people who ate about one square of chocolate a day (roughly 0.24 ounces) had lower blood pressure and a 39 percent lower risk of a stroke or heart attack as compared to those who ate the least amount of the good stuff (0.05 ounces). Dr. Berit Brogaard, psychology professor at the University of Missouri, says dark chocolate contains a large amount of flavonoids, an antioxidant that protects you from heart disease. Of course, it doesn't make sense to replace energy-dense foods with chocolate, but a smidgen a day can literally keep the doctor at bay. It makes you want to run out and get a bar, doesn't it?

7. Red Wine: A toast to Dr. Brogaard, who says moderate consumption of red wine lowers the risk for heart attacks. It raises HDL cholesterol levels (good) while preventing blood clots and artery damage caused by LDL cholesterol (bad). The Mayo Clinic's definition of moderate alcohol means one glass of wine a day for women and two glasses for gentlemen. The same healthy ingredient, resveratrol, found in red wine is in most grape juices, if you prefer the virgin drinks instead.

8. Stress: Too much of it for a prolonged period of time has a number of unhealthy effects - from increased risk of heart disease to diabetes and annihilating a pint of ice cream. However, there's a bright side to little bit of stress. Researchers at Ohio State University found that a brief bout of stress can boost your immune system by exciting your leukocytes. "An increase in leukocyte activity and availability may enhance the immune system's ability to protect the body during surgery, vaccination or during an infection," said Firdaus Dhabhar, the study's lead author.

9. Watching a hilarious YouTube video at work: It's not slacking off if you're viewing a funny video in the middle of the afternoon. Laughter has a string of healthy benefits, including increased blood flow and relaxation. Doctors recommend 15 minutes of the giggles a day for the biggest bang for your chuckle. In a study by Vanderbilt University, laughing burned 50 calories in 10 to 15 minutes. So take that break and enjoy a good, hard laugh - any way you can get it.

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