Recently, I saw a sweatshirt that says, “Bad Choices Make Good Memories.” I am not advocating for bad choices, but I have found a few somewhat unusual psychological, personality or lifestyle factors – that could be called “bad habits” – that may have some health benefits for you.
We, as seniors, are always interested in exploring strategies that will enable us to live heathier lives, and I am always hesitant to explore health advice as I am not a medical professional. However, the 8 “bad habits” that I’d like to talk about today have been scientifically proven to have some benefits for you.
- SWEARING
Keeping emotions bottled up is linked to higher stress levels and worse health outcomes. It has been found that swearing can help one better cope with some life stressors. Studies show swearing also can increase pain tolerance and pain endurance.
Why the #! Do We Swear? | Scientific American
Effect of swearing on strength: Disinhibition as a potential mediator – PubMed
Science Says Swearing Is Good For You | National Geographic
- HUMMING
Although humming can annoy those around you if you are in a crowd, it has been shown that humming increases nasal nitric oxide which opens blood vessels, improves oxygen circulation and supports the immune defense in the airways. Humming also creates vibrations in your vocal cords that stimulate the vagus nerve and calm your body by lowering your heart rate and puts you in a more relaxed state.
Humming greatly increases nasal nitric oxide – PubMed
Does Humming Stimulate the Vagus Nerve? Yes, Here’s How – ScienceInsights
- TALKING OUT LOUD TO YOURSELF
This is research that I had not heard of before. The research shows that talking out loud to yourself can improve cognition, help people cope, and help people focus.
It can also provide a form of self-soothing and emotional support and keep the brain actively engaged – especially when someone is alone, because it substitutes some of the functions of social interaction.
There is also some research done with young adults with what is called “private speech.” Research in developmental psychology finds that private speech supports attention, self-regulation, and decision-making. And although the study was done with young adults, scientists believe that this would have the same benefit for all adults.
Private speech improves cognitive performance in young adults – ScienceDirect
- CHEWING GUM
Some research shows that chewing gum can temporarily improve working memory, episodic memory and reaction speed. It may improve concentration and it was shown that chewing gum before cognitive testing improved cognitive performance. Research has also showed that chewing gum can improve sustained attention and mood enhancement.
The Neural Correlates of Chewing Gum—A Neuroimaging Review of Its Effects on Brain Activity
Immediate and residual effects of functional chewing gum on sustained attention and mood
- LAUGHING AT ONESELF
Laughing at oneself tends to be beneficial in many ways. Scientists call this “self-directed laughter.” It acts as a healthy coping mechanism. It helps regulate stress as laughter also reduces stress hormones. Multiple studies have found that people with a strong sense of humor have better cardiovascular health and a lower mortality risk. But again, occasional light humor is healthy, but constant harsh self-criticism can be harmful.
How Laughing at Yourself Can Be Good for Your Well-Being | Psychology Today
- PROCRASTINATING
The key here is using “active procrastination” – that is when you delay tasks strategically. You delay tasks on purpose and still finish on time. Not “passive procrastination” when you avoid tasks and self-sabotage.
Scientists say that only the active kind tends to have benefits.
Again, here with active procrastination, one can tap into more creative thinking.
Active procrastination and creative ideation (ScienceDirect)
7. DAYDREAMING
Why is it that we all seem to have had great ideas when we’re in the shower or on the treadmill?
When we are daydreaming, we are using deliberate imaginative thinking that is associated with improved ability to generate creative ideas and creative problem solving.
Daydreaming can also improve memory and learning because your brain may use daydreaming time to “organize” what you’ve learned.
It also helps you process your emotions and leads to improving overall well-being, but it is important to enjoy daydreaming in moderation and not let it interfere with real life functioning.
Ode to positive constructive daydreaming – PubMed
5 Positive Effects of Daydreaming
- BEING ILL BEHAVED
This one is a little nuanced. Studies do not conclude that being ill-behaved is good for you. But they have found that certain areas of rule-breaking may have some benefits under certain conditions.
Research reviews on organizational creativity highlight that novel solutions often arise from people who question conventions, which is a form of rule-challenging in a structural context.
They talk about non-conformity and/or deviation from norms. And these traits or actions can increase creativity or innovation.
And they say that not putting pressure on yourself to be perfect is healthy. Excessive conscientiousness equals chronic stress.
What kind of questions do creative people ask? – ScienceDirect