Household chores as self-care

Self-care seems to be one of the trendiest buzzwords nowadays — often portrayed as practising yoga, purchasing scented candles, or taking long walks in the park. Despite this, we must not forget that at the heart of self-care is time to protect and promote our overall wellbeing. And while these popular methods are indeed wonderful ways to put yourself at ease, self-care can be manifested in some of the most mundane and unglamorous ways, too. Sometimes, self-care might just entail putting on some rubber gloves and scrubbing the grime off your shower walls.

At this, you might be wondering: How are you taking care of yourself when you’re bending your back doing chores? Many of us are all-too familiar with having to delay these tasks because we simply wanted to rest after a long and tiring day. Plus, The Independent reveals that the majority of us believe we’re too busy to do chores.

However, as we’ve previously shared in our post on ‘How Self-care Can Help You Move Into Spring Gracefully’, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to practising self-care. Self-care is all about nourishing our minds, bodies, and souls, so let’s take a closer look at how doing chores can help us do just that.

The physical health boost

When we see dirty dishes or wrinkled clothing, our first instinct is to start washing and ironing. But have we ever taken a moment to think about why we clean?

Household chores are essential to keeping ourselves healthy, as they help us clear out uninvited houseguests that come in the form of germs. Regular cleaning can lessen allergens in your home, like dust and mould. The latter, in particular, can be quite troublesome, as HomeServe Living discusses that they can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems, especially for babies and the elderly. Mould, along with dust, can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat, which can only be a negative experience in your home.

Not to mention, the act of cleaning itself is a fantastic form of exercise, which means you’ll be hitting two birds with one stone. In our list of ‘5 Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep’, we explained how exercising is not only a form of self-care, but it also lets you sleep much better at the end of the day. So, honour yourself and your home by washing your dishes while playing your favourite tunes to get your body moving. Or, you can bring more structure to your life by making it a point to vacuum once a week.

The mental health boost

More than your physical health, making sure your things are neat and clean is a great way to honour yourself and your work, which makes it a wonderful psychological treat. After all, the way your home looks plays an important role in your life.

Let’s say you’re feeling lazy lately, and the dishes in the sink begin to pile up. This mess might begin to affect your emotions, as the clutter can start making you feel annoyed, and even restless. This is subtle, but can have a profound effect on your day-to-day life. In fact, the BBC reports that studies have linked clutter to feeling anxious or stressed, as a messy home can heighten your levels of cortisol, otherwise known as ‘the stress hormone’.

Of course, there’s the added stress of having to move around a cluttered house. Your home should be your safe place, and if you feel uncomfortable or lost in it, then perhaps it’s time to prioritise your household chores. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as clearing up the mess in your hallway and walking freely in your home. Although cleaning might feel draining at first, there’s a palpable peace and calm that you experience after doing chores.

Ultimately, our homes are reflections of how we are. Instead of seeing chores as tiring tasks you have to do over and over again, try viewing them as the time you get to honour yourself and your home — you definitely deserve it.