Five good ‘bad’ habits

Sleeping in: Sleep is well known to be one of the most beneficial factors for health. A good night’s sleep of at least seven hours improves your energy, immunity, memory and—according to the experts—can even help you lose weight. But ‘lack of sleep has been associated with hypertension, glucose intolerance and belly fat,’ says Dr Nieca Goldberg, a Health magazine contributor.

Taking a mental health day: Hey, it’s not our idea—but the experts recommend scheduled time off to de-stress, lower blood pressure and promote creative thinking. A US study found that women who took two or more holidays a year were less likely to be depressed than women who took one holiday every two years.

A big night out: Well … maybe not the ‘big’ part, but time with friends and family has a profound impact on our behaviour. Recent studies reveal that those closest to us impact what we eat, drink and even how much we weigh. Good social ties can actually help us be healthier and live longer. So, choose good friends wisely.

Your coffee fix: A wealth of research suggests that up to two cups of coffee a day can help fight heart disease and some cancers, as well as get you through a hard day at the office.

Getting pampered: Don’t feel guilty about luxuriating in a massage. But if that’s not in the budget, then get your main squeeze to give you a squeeze. In a recent study, partners who gave each other two massages a week reported better mental health. ‘In general, people who are touched regularly are healthier,’ says Dr Alice Domar of Health.