From farting to swearing and sleeping in, the eight bad and unsavoury habits that are actually good for you

DO you like to lie-in, let one rip or unleash profanities but fear the consequences?

Don’t worry, because these habits, which have long been considered to be bad for you, are actually good in moderation.

Here we reveal eight of the most unsavoury behaviours that are surprisingly beneficial to your health.

Bad habit: Being Lazy

Good result: Live longer

Idleness could be the secret to a long life, according to a study out this week.

Scientists from Germany’s Fulda University found research into the world’s blue zones — the places where the most people live beyond 100 years old — suggested a low-effort way of life is key to gaining years.

They concluded that a laid-back approach to exercise with activities like stretching while watching telly had been more common among centenarians than tough workouts.

So laziness could correlate to living longer.

Bad habit: Breaking wind

Good result: Gut health

Pass the baked beans.

If you are famous for your flatulence, the good news is letting it out will keep your gut happy.

Passing natural gas, from either end of your body, helps to lower the pressure from air, which accumulates naturally within the intestinal tract.

Unreleased air can cause bloating and pain as the stomach, colon and intestines stretch.

It’s normal to parp up to 25 times a day and letting rip is a good indicator that your digestive system is working correctly.

But any severely excessive or smelly wind may be an indicator of other health conditions.

Speak to your GP if you have concerns.

Bad habit: Swearing

Good result: Stress relief

Cursing can be a coping mechanism to moderate our emotions and release stress, research has shown.

Unleashing a tirade of obscene words was found to bring respite from rage in adults and was effective as a short-term way to help regulate emotions.

It could have physical benefits, too.

A 2017 study at Keele University found people who used profanities felt 33 per cent less discomfort than those who did not swear in an uncomfortable situation.

Bad Habit: Picking your Nose

Good: Immune Booster

Eating the contents of your nostrils could be good for your immune system — even if it is an acquired taste.

In 2008, one specialist claimed that boogers can help to deliver a probiotic style dose of healthy bacteria to our digestive systems.

It is also a quick and easy, if unsavoury, way to clear your nasal passages.

Bad habit: Having a lie-in

Good result: Heart health

Spending more time in bed could be beneficial for your ticker.

Studies have shown that a lie-in helps to reduce heart attacks and strokes — with individuals who regularly rise before 5am being 1.7 times more likely to have high blood pressure and twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those who rise two to three hours later.

Even catching up on shut-eye on Saturdays can help.

A 14-year study into sleep habits proved having a weekend lie-in still meant you were 19 per cent less likely to have a heart or circulatory disease compared to those who didn’t catch up on kip.

Bad habit: Doom scrolling

Good result: Emotional boost

Spending hours scrolling on social media is the modern habit many of us find hard to break.

But spending time on apps such as Instagram and TikTok in moderation isn’t all bad news.

A recent study, which examined the effect of screen time on 120,000 British adults, found the benefits of social media use include feeling less isolated and was a source of emotional support from peers.

Bad habit: Skipping a shower

Good: Skin health

Just the thought of not showering every day is enough to make some of us shudder.

But going grubby for 24 hours could actually be beneficial for skin health.

Unless you sweat heavily, are working in a dirty or dusty environment or have slogged in the gym, a full scrub every two to three days may actually be all that your body needs to slough off bacteria.

Showering too often and using overly hot water can strip the dermis of natural oils, which make up the protective skin barrier.

This can leave PH unbalanced and limbs feeling tight, dry and itchy, particularly in those prone to irritations, such as dermatitis or eczema.

Bad habit: Chewing gum

Good: Quick thinking

It might not be pretty to look at — or hear — but chewing gum could have big benefits for alertness and decision making.

A study found those who chewed it immediately before a cognitive task had increased blood oxygen levels in the brain structures involved in learning and recall, which boosted their performance.

Another study showed it boosted reaction times by ten per cent.