Stressed? Hang up the washing… Doing everyday tasks could be the best way to wind down, study suggests
- 56 percent believe that everyday work could be more relaxing than meditation
Practicing yoga is a popular way to relax and unwind, while the Dutch prefer “niksen” – the concept of doing nothing.
However, a study suggests that completing everyday tasks could be the best way to relax. Watering plants and hanging up laundry are among the most popular stress relievers.
A quarter of the 2,000 people surveyed in an eBay survey said they found vacuuming the most soothing, while almost one in five (18 percent) said tinkering under the hood was soothing.
About 31 percent said they found cutting herbs relaxing, just as many said they enjoyed watering plants, while 28 percent even enjoyed hanging out the laundry.
A quarter of the 2,000 people surveyed in an eBay survey said they found vacuuming the most soothing, while almost one in five (18 percent) said tinkering under the hood was soothing
About 91 percent agreed that one can find peace in everyday tasks, while 56 percent believed that everyday tasks could be more relaxing than traditional methods such as meditation
And in what may be surprising to anyone who has tried to assemble a dresser from Ikea, six percent said they could relax by building disassembled furniture.
But less surprisingly, the most popular “activity” for stress relief was making a cup of tea or coffee – chosen by almost half (49 percent).
About 91 percent agreed that one can find peace in everyday tasks, while 56 percent believed that everyday tasks could be more relaxing than traditional methods such as meditation.
On average, Brits have ten moments of relaxation every day. But money (58 percent), work (37 percent), family (34 percent) and health (25 percent) are the areas of life that cause the most stress.
The psychologist Dr. Lisa Dorn said of the results: “It’s interesting to see how many of the simplest, seemingly mundane tasks in life actually have a calming effect.”
She said everyday tasks can release endorphins, which are linked to “pleasure centers” in the brain.
Dr. Dorn added, “Regularly increasing your endorphin levels can also improve your mood… and ward off anxiety and stress.”