Be Naughty! 4 Ways a Little Decadence May Be Good for You

Lose weight, exercise, stop eating Twinkies — good health can be such a chore. But indulging in these guilty pleasures may be good for us.

1. Have sex — frequently!

In a study from two English universities, frequent lovemakers outperformed their less-aroused counterparts on tests that measured verbal fluency and visual processing. The improvements could be due to higher levels of hormones such as dopamine.

2. Listen to Mötley Crüe (or any kind of music)

In a study at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, scans showed that the music people liked — not the type of music — increased brain connectivity.

“Few human experiences activate so many circuits in our brains as music,” says study leader Jonathan H. Burdette, M.D.

Learn more about ways that decadence may be good for you.

3. Take a nap

Chinese adults 65 and older performed better on a series of mental tests if they took an hourlong nap after lunch, one study showed. A 60- to 90-minute nap even beats coffee as a mental pick-me-up: Nappers outperformed non-nappers on memory tests in another study.

4. Get a massage

A relaxing rubdown can improve stress-related insomnia and ease headaches, according to the Mayo Clinic. “Research shows that massage reduces cortisol — the body’s stress hormone — and increases our white blood cell count, thereby boosting our immune systems,” says Karrie Osborn, senior editor with Massage & Bodywork magazine.

Learn more on AARP® Staying Sharp®

_{This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide any expert, professional or specialty advice or recommendations. Readers are urged to consult with their medical providers for all questions.}