Sex, Chocolate, and Whiskey Save Lives: Five Ways Bad Habits are Good for You

In general, everyone I know awakes on New Year's day with the same feeling - a cruel mixture of disgust, guilt, and, of course, the obligatory hangover. And so it begins: Just as overindulgence is writ in anticipation of the new year, forced starvation and manic exercise seems mandatory in its wake. What I am suggesting, and shall be in weeks to come, is that you find a balance between the two.

It is only human nature to overindulge when a fast is nigh. Refusing to completely abstain from habits traditionally viewed as unhealthy may be the only way to keep from binging later. Numerous studies have found that slow, gradual changes to your diet are the ones that are the easiest to stick with. Besides, some of your "vices" have actually sneaked some health benefits into your revelry. Here are 5 ways how.

1. You got to see some friends and family.

As stressful as reunions can sometimes be, it is an actual fact that gossiping with friends, laughing, and talking about your day can not only burn calories and de-stress your mind, but also boost your immune system and reduce your risk of heart disease. In a recent study from the University of California at San Diego found that women with more than six close relationships of any nature smoked, weighed, and got depressed less than women who were more solitary in nature. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin agreed, when they found that women who had close personal relationships had lower blood levels of a protein linked to Alzheimer's disease. Better yet (and certainly more fun), psychologists in Pennsylvania have shown that people who have sex once or twice a week have significantly boosted immune systems. Sex has also been proven to lower cholesterol in some, and, more importantly, tip the HDL/LDL cholesterol balance towards the healthier HDL side. In addition, a 2001 follow-up to a Queens University study into the health benefits of sex found that having sex three or more times a week reduced men's risk of heart attack or stroke by half.

2. You drank your morning coffee.