Right, no more excuses when it comes to doing in the dishes, folks. A study done by Florida State University suggest that it might be a great stress reliever. We know that as you make your way through the soapy mountain and somebody pops another dish into the pile things can get really annoying, but hear us out.
This is how it worked. The Uni got 51 students together and gave half the group a brief passage that emphasized the importance of focusing of the full experience of dishwashing – the scent of the detergent, the feel of the suds, the shape of the dishes, etc. The other half was given nothing.
Each participant then washed 18 plates before answering a questionnaire to evaluate their state of mind and their level of well-being.
Those who were mindful in their dishwashing were found to show positive effects such as inspiration, decreases in nervousness and over-estimations of dishwashing time.
Nervousness ratings decreased by 27 percent in the mindful dishwashers, while mental inspiration increased by 25 percent.
This research isn’t completely new, though, research has previously shown that chores can be a good way to wind down. So, the next time you’re feeling a little be irked, get your hands into some soapy water.
