Sex, wine and tears all have one thing in common. No, it’s not what you think. We have all seen the endless lists of super foods and health tips, but now it’s time to rethink some things that have a bad rep when it comes to our health. These are three things that are surprisingly good for you.

Wine

Alcohol has a bad rep when it comes to healthy (or rather, unhealthy) behaviors, especially on a college campus. Lately, research has put red wine in the spotlight of the health world.

If you down a bottle of wine, you might not be feeling the benefits the next morning. However, like many other indulgences, moderation is key. In moderation, wine can:

  • Reduce the risk of depression
  • Slow growth of breast cancer cells
  • Lower mortality from cardiovascular disease
  • Increase blood flow
  • Improve level of HDL (“good” cholesterol) and lower LDL (“bad” cholesterol)
According to the US Department of Agriculture’s “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010,” “If alcohol is consumed, it should be consumed in moderation – up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.”

Physical Touch

Since our elementary days, we’ve been told to keep our hands to ourselves. It’s one of the first lessons we learn, but it may be one in need of modification. A high five, a hug, or even someone playing with your hair can be beneficial to your health.

Massages are the go-to for tension and stress release, and for a good reason. A massage relaxes muscles, slows the heart rate, reduces blood pressure and causes cortisol – also known as the “stress hormone” – to drop. High levels of cortisol in the bloodstream can lead to negative effects such as impaired cognitive performance, increased abdominal fat and lowered immunity.

By lowering the level of this stress hormone, you can help your immune system and your overall health. It’s not only massages that produce this response. Stimulating touch receptors in anyway can lower blood pressure and cortisol levels. So cuddle up with your dog, hug a friend, or spend some extra physical time with your partner to reap the benefits.

It’s not just sexual encounters that have such health benefits. Studies show any physical touch can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and promote overall health.

Crying

Want free therapy that can immediately reduce stress and keep your body healthy? All it takes is a good cry. As humans, we produce three types of tears. Basal tears keep our eyes lubricated at all times. Reflex tears are what you experience when cutting an onion. And then there are emotional tears. The good, the bad and the ugly cries all fall under this one.

Not only are tears an emotional rejuvenation, but doctors now say tears have other health benefits too.

  • Tears contain lysozyme, an enzyme that kills bacteria and helps your immune system
  • Crying helps us deal with emotion and have psychological benefits to lift your mood
  • Crying helps reduce stress and remove toxins from our bodies
When we’re stressed, chemicals such as the endorphins leucine-enkaphalin and prolactin build up in our bodies. Emotional tears contain more toxic byproducts than any other tears and help flush out those toxins, acting as a natural therapy. On the contrary, fighting back tears can increase stress levels. This contributes to other health problems associated with stress, such as high blood pressure.

Whether it’s a tear-jerking episode of Grey’s Anatomy or in the shower after a long day, next time you’re on the verge of tears and fighting the quivering lip, just let go and cry.