Versione italianaTELLING lies can make you ILL.
Those who took part in the research over a ten-week period experienced four fewer mental problems — such as feeling tense or sad — by telling three fewer fibs than usual. In addition, they suffered three fewer physical troubles such as sore throats and headaches.
And they enjoyed better relationships and smoother social interactions than fibbers.
The study involved 110 people split into two groups — one told to stop telling lies and the other given no instructions. Some in the first group realised they could tell the truth about daily accomplishments rather than exaggerate.
Others said they stopped making false excuses for being late or failing to complete tasks.
Several participants learned to avoid lying by answering tricky questions with a question of their own to distract their inquisitor.
The results of the study by America’s Notre Dame University were presented to a psychologists’ convention.
Professor Anita Kelly said: “We found the participants could purposefully and dramatically reduce their everyday lies. And that in turn was associated with significantly improved health.”
