At long last a column that gives us permission to ignore the advice of our parents, teachers, and even some doctors who are now trumpeting the good vices.  Remember all those bad habits we learned about?  In the world of love and marriage, some may be good for you.

Here are the Top Ten from CNN.com in bold, the CNN link for the full story is at the end, and the comments are mine with links to aditional articles from other Examiners and my National Health News column.

Pleasure No. 1: Getting your zzz's: I cannot encourage you more to make the time to sleep.  The benefits range from improved memory to staying slim. The magic number seems to be 7 hours. Sleep is all in your mind

Pleasure No. 2: Playing hooky:  If you cannot get away on occasion, take minute vacations to smell the roses. Plan a picnic with friends.  Better yet, take a spur of the moment trip -- it seems to have helped golfer Bubba Watson.  The golfer played hooky and found some fun and success. Bubba

Pleasure No. 3: Sexual healing:  For releasing all those good endorphins and oxytocin -- go for it.  And it helps to promote bonding.  Liquid love and oxytocin

Pleasure No. 4: A daily chocolate fix:  What could be better than a bit of love and a bit of chocolate for a delectable way to help your heart?  It's all those great antioxidants.  Chocolate good news

Pleasure No. 5: Girls' nights out:   Surround yourself with supportive and positive people and watch your eyes sparkle as you flourish. Girls night out for a movie, Female Friendship Examiner

Pleasure No. 6: Full-fat dressing:  Those low fat dressings are loaded with salt, definitely a danger to those with high blood pressure and a serious contributor to obesity.  Use pure olive oil and vinegar and load up your salad with lots of avocados and nuts. In addition to the salt in low fat dressings, here are 25 other foods with salt that might surprise you. Watch your salt intake

Pleasure No. 7: Your morning java:  The results are in, coffee is OK as well as tea and it might even help stimulate your body to work out more productively. Two cups for coffee, even more for tea. Read the latest findings in Health Briefs:  Coffee and Tea

Pleasure No. 8: Getting a rubdown:  Since I am not a "relaxer" a rubdown was never my cup of tea -- I'll take meditation anytime (or our shared champagne).  However, the CNN article tells us that "Women in a 2008 study noted less pain, depression, anxiety, and anger when they were massaged twice a week by their partners -- and (bonus!) their partners reported better mental health, too."  (For sexy massage products, our Sex and Relationships Examiner has the answer.  And keep in mind Tantra Tuesdays with our Modern Love Muse.

Pleasure No. 9: Basking in the sun:  Yes the sun does lift our spirits and helps us to sleep better at night.  It also triggers Vitamin D synthesis.  But remember to protect your skin as well and see how few products are really acceptable.  Sunscreens: a hot controversy and a safe list

Pleasure No. 10: Wine with dinner:  Relax, enjoy, and let those antioxidants go to work -- just keep it to no more than 5 ounces per day. (And one beer or martini might do it as well!)  Those 10 Good vices, CNN.com

Here's to healthy loving!  And do have a look at my next alphabet relationship tip: Relationship  tip: Embrace rather than embarrass

Copyright 2010 Rita Watson/ All Rights Reserved