While many would believe household chores can make the blood pressure rise, a new study shows washing dishes can actually lower stress level significantly. The key is to do it mindfully.
The study was conducted through Florida State University.
Researchers worked with 51 college students in the study. The people who used “mindful” practices while dishwashing experienced positive affect like inspiration, and decreased negative affect like nervousness, each by about 25 percent.
Before participants started, they were parted into two groups who each read different passages. One was a descriptive, straightforward passage. The other group was focused on being mentally present.
The mindfulness passage reminds the reader to focus on breath, smell the soap, feel the shape of the dishes and live in the moment.
Researchers suggest while the study was only conducted using a small number of participants, it may show there are stress reducers possible in a variety of everyday activities.
Washing stress down the drain.. with the dirty dish soap water? A study says YES! http://t.co/WfEGe5Zte6 @WPTV pic.twitter.com/SUSjWjdeSJ
— Ashleigh Walters (@AshleighWalters) October 1, 2015
