Why is washing dishes therapeutic and stress-reducing?

Housework is tedious for many, but now it can be a tool for psychological self-regulation, and we'll tell you why.

A simple task that everyone does out of necessity turned out to be one of the moments when your mind can be at its calmest.

Science has revealed that washing dishes has multiple therapeutic benefits, so if done correctly, it can become a form of meditation and relieve stress. .

Is washing dishes therapeutic?

According to the website " Psychology Corner ", it mentions that a study conducted by Florida State University revealed that washing dishes is an excellent way to relax .

The study involved 51 people, who were divided into two groups. Some were asked to read a short text about how to wash dishes mindfully (a meditation technique). Others were asked to read a descriptive text about the task.

Those who completed the task and read the text with the meditation technique discovered that, By being fully present, concentrating on the temperature of the water, the smell of the detergent, and the feel of the dishes, there was a 27% decrease in stress and nervousness. .

Thus, those who only read the text descriptively and performed the task found no benefit and might even feel angry and frustrated.

What is mindfulness?

It is a way of being in the present moment, of achieving full attention, being aware of what happens in the here and now, without trying to change anything and without judging. It's about concentrating on what's happening inside and around us and knowing how to let go of noise and distractions.

What causes stress in our body?

According to the Mayo Clinic website, there can be multiple symptoms of stress that affect health, which we often confuse with other illnesses and ultimately are consequences of stress.

Some of the symptoms are :

• In the body : headache, muscle tension, chest pain, fatigue, changes in sexual desire, stomach upset, sleep problems, and getting sick more easily because a weak immune system develops.
• Mood : anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation, lack of concentration, memory problems, bad mood and depression.
• Behavior : overeating or not eating enough, substance abuse, angry outbursts, avoiding friends, exercising less frequently.

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