I know there are some chores that I really enjoy doing. Laundry, for example. Sorting my laundry, folding it, and hanging it up are activities that are very calming to me.
The clothing feels nice, the detergent has a pleasant smell. It’s a relaxing experience.
As it turns out there’s some science to back up why I feel this way.
Any mundane task can become relaxing if you do it mindfully.
A study of people doing dishes found that just the act of doing dishes can make one calmer, and experience feelings of inspiration.
Of course, the catch is that the person must do it mindfully. If not done mindfully, then study participants did not reap these benefits.
The study included 51 students who were told to wash dishes. Half of these students were told to read a mindfulness passage on dishwashing, and half were told to read a few descriptive lines.
The mindfulness passage may sound a bit silly, but it really just goes to show that normal, day-to-day activities can provide opportunities for stress relief.
Here’s a short part of the passage: “The fact that I am standing there and washing is a wondrous reality. I’m being completely myself, following my breath, conscious of my presence, and conscious of my thoughts and actions. There’s no way I can be tossed around mindlessly like a bottle slapped here and there on the waves.”
It may be over the top, but it helps the person doing the activity focus on being present in the moment, ensuring that they can really relax.
Next time you do the dishes, try it out!
