Have you ever considered the therapeutic value of performing simple chores? You know the kind. . . folding towels warm from the dryer, washing dishes in lots of sudsy water, mixing ingredients for meatloaf with your bare hands. Many of us helped our mothers with these tasks as children, back when we didn’t necessarily need to, but wanted to. Unfortunately for our parents, that time was short-lived, but appreciated.
Most often we’re so busy trying to get things done, we multitask ourselves into an even more stressful situation, with less efficient results. http://lifehacker.com/5922453/what-multitasking-does-to-our-brains Occasionally, doing one simple thing, such as only folding warm towels, without trying to do five other things at the same time, can actually be pleasant! Seriously! And, when helping mom hand wash the dishes, did you ever scoop up a handful of bubbles and blow them into the air, watching the rainbows form in each one? If not, do it now. (Or do it again)
In our “technology focused” world, intended to simplify our lives, the result has been quite the opposite. In an effort to reduce manual labor, we have lost the ability to enjoy many tasks that used to be commonplace. Being able to turn on an appliance with a flick of one finger, instead of walking across the room and turning a knob with several fingers, may save time, but the cost is high by limiting the involvement of our bodies. http://www.rferl.org/content/lancet-report-physical-inactivity-as-deadly... We don’t need to always “work out” physically to benefit from movement.
Gentle repetitive motion can have a soothing affect on the mind as well as the body. Focusing on one task at a time, not rushing through, just doing. We’re not talking about constant repetitive motion that can result in injury, such as, carpel tunnel, bursitis, tendonitis, etc. However, just as a luxurious massage can relax the entire body, performing simple tasks that do not require a lot of thought can relax the mind.
Now that you can see the benefit of performing simple chores, try sharing them with your spouse. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865569266/Secret-men-are-happier-when... Really, why should you have all the fun?
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