7 "Bad" Behaviors That Are Actually Good for You

Introducing Endless Mode: A New Games & Anime Site from Paste

Read our announcement | See the 10 Best Games of 2025 (So Far)

It seems like every week there’s a new study about how our favorite things are killing us. Fine, certain death may be just a diet soda and an hour of sitting away, but isn’t there anything we do that doesn’t harm us?

There is! Not everything is bad for you (yet)—in fact, there’s some evidence that a few of our most common bad habits and behaviors come with great health benefits. Keep reading for the optimistic science behind some of our favorite indulgences.

Making a Mess

You’re not a slob; you’re a genius! Well, maybe not, but a little chaos really is good for your creativity, researchers have found. Though physical order is associated with generosity and healthy behaviors, a little mess in your environment can encourage people to break with tradition and convention—both good if you’re looking for inspiration.

Gossiping

Spread the news! Gossiping can be good for you, according to a 2012 study. The experiment found that passing along a “gossip note” about a player who was cheating offered some stress relief—people even opted to pay money in order to pass along the gossip. An earlier study found that gossiping for 20 minutes boosted levels of the hormone progesterone, which improves well-being and reduces stress and anxiety. It doesn’t excuse that burn book from high school, but it might explain why we can’t wait to share a juicy piece of news.

Most Popular

Cursing

Hell yeah; research shows that cursing increases our pain tolerance (that explains every bikini wax appointment ever) and works as an emotional coping mechanism. Those frequently four-letter suckers can even help you communicate better: research has shown that swearing can increase the persuasiveness of your message.

Never Making Your Bed

Your mom isn’t the only one who loves a neatly made bed. Dust mites are also huge fans—they thrive in the warm conditions of a put together bed. The result? Obvious disgust, but also coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes and even asthma for you. So go ahead and leave the bed unmade when you get up in the morning. The blankets thrown off will deprive the little suckers of moisture from your sheets and mattress, causing them to dehydrate and eventually die.

Playing Too Many Videogames

There are worse ways to unwind. Research shows that playing videogames stimulates parts of the brain associated with learning and memory. Certain games may be especially good for you—one 2015 study found that after playing 3D videogames, study participants’ memory performance increased by 12 percent (those who played 2D games didn’t get the same boost). And while action games for hours may not aid in your physical fitness, they can boost your motor skills, other research suggests. So, if it’s between gaming and hate-watching House Hunters, your brain will benefit more from the former.

Complaining

Looking on the bright side can be overrated; researchers have found that suppressing negative feelings can lead to long-term stress and disease. And when you do it right, complaining can be good for you and your relationships. A 2014 study found that couples who expressed their pet peeves about each other with the hope of achieving a certain result tended to be happier. Just keep the grievance airing mindful, not mean (now might be a good time to put away that bullhorn).

Biting your nails

Child nail biters, rejoice! Sure, your cuticles may have never fully recovered, but it’s not all bad. A study published in July 2016 found children who snacked on their nails actually had stronger immune systems and were less likely to get allergies into adulthood. It seems all that chewing allows bacteria and pollen trapped under the fingernails to get into the mouth—which is gross, but actually a good thing, since early exposure to dirt and germs help us build up our immune systems. Sure, researchers aren’t recommending you stick your fingers in your mouth now, but the news is a comfort all the same.

Diana Vilibert is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn, NY.

7 “Bad” Behaviors That Are Actually Good for You