Completely wound up? Do the dishes (by hand)
It has been scientifically established: doing the dishes can be relaxing. At least, that is the conclusion reached by researchers at Florida State University. The test subjects felt less stressed, more relaxed and more inspired after the plates and cups had gone through some sudsy water.
Scientific researcher Adam Hanley wondered whether you could also find relaxation in ordinary, everyday tasks such as vacuuming and doing the dishes, he says. ‘Could you also train mindfulness that way, and become happier as a result? That’s what I wanted to investigate.’
Warm water, lovely suds
He asked 51 students whether they wanted to do the dishes. Half of his test subjects were given instructions beforehand advising them to engage all their senses while doing the dishes. The smell of the dish soap, the feel of the warm water, the sound of the dripping tap: they had to consciously observe everything. The other half received matter-of-fact instructions about doing the dishes.
Relaxed…
What do you think: the group that lowered the dirty cutlery and used teacups into the basin with full attention felt much more relaxed afterwards than the group that had simply done the dishes. They reported feeling 27 percent less tense and having 25 percent more inspiration.
Keep the dishwasher closed
Diehard scientists would say – rightly so – that 51 students is only a small group of test subjects, and that the study needs to be repeated and expanded before rock-solid conclusions can be drawn. But there’s no harm in taking these results to heart for now: keep the dishwasher closed when you’re stressed and really go to town with the dish brush; just see how much better you feel afterwards.
Read also:
- Life hack: this is how your wine glass will always fit in the dishwasher
- No more arguments: this is the only right way to load the dishwasher
- Seasoning a cast-iron pan: this is how you do it
Source: marthastewart.com
