Research proves that indulging yourself and enjoying the charms of the world is the best defense against disease and a way to extend life. Pleasant sensations improve your well-being, help you cope better with anxiety and stress, which has a positive effect on your he alth. Without remorse, allow yourself to sins he althy!

What is the secret of people called he alth specimens? Contrary to appearances, this is not compliance with "only right" he alth recommendations. As it turns out, they are happy, positive people and enjoy life.

1. Afternoon nap reduces the risk of heart disease

Our biological circadian rhythm seems to be programmed for afternoon rest, which could explain our frequent crises at this time of day when we are lethargic and apathetic. In one experiment, when a group of people were allowed to sleep on without restriction, it turned out that, outside of normal nighttime sleep, the subjects liked afternoon naps. At that time, they fell into a deep, deep, slow-wave sleep. Even a short nap can be refreshing. The body rests, improves well-being, brightens the mind. Research shows that you don't even need to fall asleep, just lie down for a while in the afternoon to regain your strength. Afternoon naps also help prevent heart disease. An example is the inhabitants of the tropics and Mediterranean countries, fans of the afternoon siesta, who suffer from coronary heart disease much less often than the population of northern Europe or America (in these countries, heart attacks are frequent).

Another piece of evidence is a study in a Greek hospital comparing sleep habits in two groups of patients: 97 men after a heart attack and 90 otherwise similar patients who had no heart problems. It turned out that the respondents regularly taking a half-hour afternoon nap were by 30 percent. less likely to suffer a heart attack. In people who administered a double dose, i.e. an hour of afternoon sleep, the risk of a heart attack was reduced by almost half.

2. Shopaholic triggers endorphins

Shopping, like many fun things, can be he althy in moderation. They dispel boredom, improve mood, are a balm for loneliness, allow you to forget about everyday worries and provide food fordreams. Some people go to sports shops looking for super space, haggle if possible, triumph when they manage to hunt down something special. Their euphoria when they find exactly what they were looking for is often compared to a drug high.

Shopping also, unfortunately, has a dark side, because from shopping for entertainment and improving your mood there is only one step to shopaholism, i.e. compulsive buying, which is to fill the void in life and increase self-esteem. However, this is an exception to the rule. Most of us can from time to time jump into a shopping frenzy and play in a modern version of wild game hunting.

3. Love games improve relationships in a relationship

The act of love combines the fulfillment of several basic human needs: touch, tenderness and the feeling of closeness. Sex also improves your mood, helps you relax, and increases immunity. Researchers recently found that women who have sex at least once a week are more likely to have regular menstrual cycles and go through the menopause more smoothly than women who have infrequent sex.

It seems that apart from sexual intercourse it is the effect of male pheromones, which enter the female body through inhalation or skin absorption and improve physiological processes. Research shows that postmenopausal sexual activity (3 or more intercourse a month) can protect women from vaginal atrophy (atrophy).

A good appetite for sex also strengthens marriage. Supportive couples have a more active sex life than those prone to conflict. Research also shows that spouses have intercourse more often than singles.

4. Eating spicy food increases the metabolic rate

Eating spicy food gives a strong taste sensation, and even - as in the case of chili peppers - causes a slight pain. However, this pain is not harmful, but triggers an exciting reaction, as well as emotional experiences (e.g. roller coaster ride, watching horror movies). By eating chili peppers, we feel the thrill of risk without exposing ourselves to any harm. It is even quite the opposite! As one study shows, spicy spices can be helpful for weight loss.

Foods seasoned with chili and mustard accelerate the metabolic rate (by about 25%) and contribute to faster burning of calories (such action is not found, for example, ginger). Chili has other benefits too. Recent discoveries indicate that it cleans the respiratory tract in colds, helps prevent certain cancers, provides essential vitamins and … cools (surprisingly, the highest intakechili peppers are noted in a hot climate zone - hot spice causes profuse sweating, and sweat, evaporating, draws heat from the body, which gives a pleasant feeling of coolness).

In addition, it triggers the release of endorphins, which may explain the feeling of euphoria we feel after eating a portion of a spicy dish. Chili also probably prevents the formation of blood clots, which can lead to serious blockages in the circulatory system. A study of people in Thailand - a country where thrombosis is very rare - found that people who ate a dish spiced with chili had a significant, albeit short-lived, anticoagulant effect. The Thai habit of eating chili peppers with almost every meal probably contributes to the regular cleansing of blood clots from blood vessels. Chili also has a beneficial effect on the heart by lowering cholesterol. Animal experiments showed that doses of capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili, inhibited the liver's production of cholesterol and lowered its concentration in the blood, even when consuming foods rich in this compound.

5. A longer vacation is conducive to experiencing the adventure

Holidays offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy life. A vacation allows you to break away from your daily routine, enjoy freedom, pamper yourself and regenerate your strength. Holidays are effective in relieving mental and physical stress - research shows that they reduce fatigue, problems with the digestive system and aversion to sex by as much as half.

The incidence of headache during holidays drops from 21 to just 3%. One survey shows that physical ailments decrease significantly already on the 4th or 5th day of summer vacation.

A vacation is a great time to strengthen family ties. During your vacation travels, you also have the opportunity to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, which broadens your horizons, brings a fresh perspective to your own habits and values. Holidays are conducive to adventures that provide unforgettable experiences, and meeting ambitious challenges increases self-esteem.

6. Wine and alcohol can reduce the risk of a heart attack

Too much alcohol is undoubtedly harmful. But as a small daily pleasure, it brings surprising benefits to he alth. Moderate drinkers live longer and he althier than heavy drinkers and perform better than abstainers. Research shows that they are less likely to suffer from atherosclerosis, have less heart attacks, and are less likely to die of heart disease.

Does the type of alcohol matter? A lot of data speaks in favor of wine. Mortality from heart disease is lowest in countries where it is heavily drunk. in women,who drink wine, the risk of a heart attack is lower compared to women who like beer and liqueurs. But the Honolulu Heart Study found that the lowest incidence of heart attacks in Japanese (men) was among beer lovers. It is worth knowing that alcohol has protective properties only if it is consumed regularly and in moderate amounts. People who get drunk once a week, for example, are more likely to suffer from blockage of the coronary arteries. The advantage of wine is that when drunk with meals, it causes us to eat less. In one study, obese patients were given 3 glasses (100 ml) of dry wine for a while. One group received wine half an hour before meals, the other only with food, and the third drank wine at bedtime. People who drank wine with a meal lost the most weight. It is known that moderate alcohol drinking has a beneficial effect on the psyche - it reduces nervous tension, reduces anxiety, improves mood and facilitates social contacts.

The effectiveness of alcohol as an encouraging agent is perfectly illustrated by a study conducted on a group of seniors, residents of a nursing home. After 2 months of administering afternoon beer to patients, the number of people who moved independently increased from 21 to 74 percent. Social interactions increased threefold, and the proportion of seniors taking thorazine (a powerful sedative) fell from 75%. to zero.

7. Chocolate stimulates the work of the brain

For many,chocolateis a symbol of debauchery, for others - a gift from the gods. We love it for its wonderful taste and velvety texture. Some explain its charm with the content of stimulating caffeine or a certain amount of theobromine, which in turn stimulates the muscles more than the brain. Chocolate is rich in volatile compounds that pleasantly irritate the organ of smell with a sophisticated composition. In addition, it melts exactly at the temperature of the human body, thanks to which it "melts in the mouth".

Many myths have arisen about this delicacy, incl. that it causes pimples and tooth decay. But research has never confirmed that chocolate causes acne or exacerbates skin lesions. It also turns out to be less harmful to teeth than other sweets - it contains substances that are likely to protect the enamel and prevent cavities.

In the light of the latest research, eating chocolate may reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. It has, inter alia, blood pressure lowering, antiatherosclerotic and vasodilating properties. But you have to be moderate, because excessive love for chocolate favors, among others, obesity and diabetes. You can eat 4 cubes of dark chocolate a day with impunity.

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Psychology