This is 'puttering': the new habit you should include in your daily routine with benefits for your emotional health.
As incredible as it may seem, and in the context of a society dominated by haste, pressure, and anxiety, what psychology experts have dubbed 'puttering' comes into play, a routine that is gaining followers in Spain and promises to transform mental well-being.
An Anglo-Saxon word, 'puttering' refers to the description of how household activities such as reorganizing a closet, ironing, cooking, or gardening positively influence mental health, to the point of benefiting emotional intelligence , disconnection, and creativity. All done calmly and without pressure , for the sheer pleasure of doing it.
In a world obsessed with goals, where multitasking is rewarded and stress seems to have been accepted as a "good thing," this proposal speaks to performing the simplest tasks at home, making them pleasurable and learning to enjoy the process and not the result.
The key to putting together a routine at home (reorganizing, decorating, cooking, gardening , etc.) but from a pleasurable perspective, without demands or the need for productivity as a goal. It's not about what we're going to achieve, but rather how we enjoy doing it, whether we finish it or not, taking pleasure in each activity.
Since our brain, in this case, is not focused on a goal , it has an easier time relaxing and achieving a true connection with rest, a calm that reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and increases the possibility of disconnection, which is so necessary today.
Manual activity to free yourself from worries
So-called manual labor, which requires full attention from a satisfying perspective, reduces the likelihood of focusing on worries, while eliminating intrusive thoughts and forcing us to ground ourselves in the present, something highly recommended, according to experts.
If cortisol levels drop with these types of mindful, calm activities , the opposite hormone, dopamine (a neurotransmitter associated with well-being), increases. So does the sense of accomplishment, self-esteem, and control over the situation —all signs that mental health is working well.
In general, the goal is to perform low-intensity tasks that require concentration, foster creativity, and make us feel at peace, facilitating pleasurable brain connections. Putting also benefits a good night's sleep .
How to effectively incorporate puttering into your daily routine?
Devoting part of our daily time to calmly performing household chores, especially in the kitchen, gardening, or organizing our homes, is a very effective way to promote self-care, as it reconciles us with the most genuine and natural way of life.
Furthermore, putting is much more effective when performed without digital distractions , which is why experts recommend keeping cell phones and electronic devices away. Paying attention to performing simple tasks, but without demands or feeling pressured, has an extraordinary impact on mental health.
Thus, puttering suggests taking active breaks daily that strengthen emotional intelligence and serve as a tool to manage stress and reconnect with the present moment.
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