Turns out that there is an upside to being left doing the dishes.
If there’s one household chore I’ve never liked doing it’s washing the dishes.
Honestly I’d rather clean the bathroom, empty the bins, mop the all the floors, there’s just something about washing the dishes that I absolutely dread.
That’s why I found this research very interesting and it may actually help me get over my fight with the dishes.
Science has found that washing up can actually help decrease your stress levels and help maintain positive mental health.
If you feel like this is untrue for you it may be because you’re not washing your dishes while being mindful. Confused? Don’t worry I was too but while reading more it suddenly made sense.
The research carried out by the Florida State University found after watching 51 students wash dishes that those who concentrated at the task at hand were less stressed.
The students who took in the whole experience, the smell of the soap, the sound of the water, found their mental wellbeing improved. This is opposed to those who allowed to let themselves get distracted by other things or did not fully focus on the task of washing up.
According to an article published in Natural Healing Magazine;
“While washing the dishes one should only be washing the dishes. This means that while washing the dishes one should be completely aware of the fact that one is washing the dishes.
At first glance, that might seem a little silly. Why put so much stress on a simple thing? But that’s precisely the point. 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.”
So there you have it. The next time your stress levels are through the roof, pick up a pot scrubber, take a few deep breaths and have at it.
