Six Healthiest Indulgences

Coffee + chocolate is to health what water + sunshine is to life. Here are delightful duos that nourish your body + soul.

Turns out simple pleasures are essential to our wellbeing. “The very things that make us happy make us healthy, too,” says Dr Susan Love, a breast-cancer expert and co-author of Live a Little! Breaking the Rules Won’t Break Your Health.

Every day, new data emerges on the health benefits of enjoying life. A recent study showed that people who relax with family and friends, make time for holidays and play sports have lower blood pressure, lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, lower body-mass indexes (BMIs) and smaller waists. Pleasure can protect the body. “Getting enjoyment from what you do improves your health—you will live better for longer,” explains Dr Joe Kosterich, Prevention’s advising GP. Here are some surprisingly easy feel-good tweaks that double not only your pleasure but also your health.

May 24, 2011