Washing dishes is often a chore that we all dread from time to time, like the many other chores we do to keep our apartments clean and tidy. However, did you know that washing dishes can actually be a therapeutic exercise? That’s right, according to a study at Florida State University, washing dishes can be healthy for your mind and your mood.
The study conducted by students at FSU took advantage of so-called mindfulness techniques. First, they asked the study participants to read and interpret a passage which outlined different ways in which they could be more mindful about washing dishes. For example, participants were encouraged to focus on things like the smell of the dish washing soap and the tactile feeling of the dishes they were handling.
Afterwards, study participants in the experimental group washed clean dishes while actively using such mindfulness techniques. Researchers then surveyed their emotional state, and the results were compared to a control group which did not utilize such techniques. The results of the study showed a statistically significant increase in the experimental group’s overall mood and psychological arousal. Feelings such as anxiety were decreased by one-quarter, and participants in the experimental group also over-estimated the time they spent at the sink – a result which suggests that they were mentally engaged in the activity.
So, the next time you wash dishes in your Lady Lake, FL, apartment at The Quarters, try thinking of it as a way to meditate for the day ahead, or unwind at the end of the day. For more information about our apartments at The Quarters, contact our leasing office. We would love to take you on a tour of our floor plans and community.
