Do you ever feel like all the things that are fun for you have over the years been proven bad for your health or waistline? We hear you. But it might delight you know that things aren’t actually as bad as all that. We’ve compiled a list of things that manage to be healthy and enjoyable at the same time. Read on!

1. Massage.

Guess what made it to the list of top fitness trends in 2016? Mobility rollers used to massage and relieve muscle tightness. And who doesn’t enjoy a soothing massage? Getting a massage releases dopamine and serotonin into your system, which makes you feel relaxed and sleepy. So a massage is a good remedy for feeling stressed out. But that’s not the only benefit. In fact, Mayo Clinic Staff has a whole page dedicated to listing its benefits. Some of which are as follows:

• anxiety and headache relief
• stress-related insomnia cure
• injury strain prevention
• injury strain recovery
• joint pain cure
• myofascial pain cure
• and more!

You’re getting a dose of good health served to you each time you book a massage.

2. Singing.

You love singing in the shower, and you’d do it more if you could. Well after reading this, you will have reason to do it more. According to an article in Time, scientists have long been trying to find out why singing elevates your spirits. So far, here’s what they have come up with: When you sing, you release endorphins and oxytocin, both of which are pleasure hormones. Singing regularly is shown to lower levels of cortisol, which is a stress-related hormone. So basically, if you want to have less stress and feel more pleasure, go on and belt out a tune.

3. Sleeping.

In a poll conducted way back in 2009, sleep was voted to be one of life’s greatest pleasures. Are you nodding your head? It’s hard to accurately describe that moment of waking up feeling completely refreshed. It’s a feeling as close to holy as many of us will come. As you probably know without needing to be told, sleep is a vital need of the human condition. It’s so important that sleep deprivation is considered a form of torture. Lack of sleep has been connected to memory impairment, health deterioration, and is said to impact longevity.

The benefits of sleep are improved memory and cognitive function. It is also during sleep that the body releases hormones that activate muscle repair. Instead of hitting that snooze button, try to go to sleep a little earlier tonight. The hours before 12 are prime sleep hours and contribute to that refreshed feeling we talked about earlier.

4. Laughing.

Have you heard that saying, the one about laughter being the best medicine? There’s a bit of truth in this one. Not only is relaxing with your favorite comedy show a good time for you, but it is also a very healthy activity. It might even be on par with eating well and getting in your exercise. When we laugh, our physiology changes. We breathe faster, and we get more blood and oxygen shooting through our body. According to WebMD, it’s similar to a mild workout. What’s not to like about laughing more? Nothing.

5. Hugging.

In a study done by Carnegie Mellon University, it was found that people who were hugged had a greater resistance to the common cold. How does that work? Some studies point to oxytocin aiding immune function. And hugging releases oxytocin, that feel-good chemical, in your body. Oxytocin also lowers your stress levels, which naturally can help you have a more enjoyable day. It also spreads endorphins through your body, whose job it is to soothe pains and aches.

Go find someone to hug! It not only benefits you, but also the person you hug, too! They’re getting the same boost to their nervous system and will have a better day because of it.

What with these 5 enjoyable and healthy activities you can indulge in, daily life is looking better by the minute.

talkhealth Blog