Being Stressed Out Can Easily Be Fixed By Doing Dishes

The last thing I think of when I am stressed out is doing chores. But, if you are stressed and need to unwind you might want to clean some dishes.

Stress is often worst at the end of the day. The boss. The workload. The commute. The kids. You know what you should do when you just can't take it anymore? Fill the kitchen sink with suds and wash the dishes.

Mindfully washing dishes calms the mind and decreases stress. The key word in that last sentence is "mindfully." Florida State University researchers found that washing dishes can be used as an informal contemplative practice that promotes a positive state of mindfulness -- that is, a meditative method of focusing attention on the emotions and thoughts of the present moment.

How do you wash dishes mindfully? Focus. Instead of thinking about how to deal with your bad boss or the kids' hectic schedule, focus on the smell of the soap, the warmth of the water and the feel of the dishes.

In the FSU study with 51 students, the researchers, led by Adam Hanley, found that those who were mindful dishwashers reported a decrease in nervousness by 27 percent and an increase in mental inspiration by 25 percent. Meanwhile, the control group experienced no benefits (other than clean dishes).

[via: Florida State University]