Does just thinking about stepping inside a gym make you feel exhausted? If so, here’s some good news. One of the world’s largest studies on physical activity has found that doing household chores can be just as effective as running or working out when it comes to cutting your risk of heart disease and extending your life.
A team of researchers followed 130,000 people in 17 countries, of various income levels, from 2003 to 2010, and discovered that they enjoyed the same health benefits whether they were going to the gym, walking to work or doing household chores. Indeed, performing 30 minutes of any kind of physical activity five days a week could slash your risk of death from any cause by 28 percent and your rate of heart disease by 20 percent.
And, again, the positive effects were the same whether someone was working out, walking or doing chores such as vacuuming, scrubbing the floor or gardening.
“Walking for as little as 30 minutes most days of the week has a substantial benefit, and higher physical activity is associated with even lower risks,” lead researcher Scott Lear said about the findings, published Friday in The Lancet medical journal.
“By including low and middle-income countries in this study, we were able to determine the benefit of activities such as active commuting, having an active job or even doing housework,” Lear said. He noted that 1 in 4 people worldwide do not get 30 minutes of exercise a day, five times a week.
Interestingly enough, the Canadian study found no ceiling on the benefits of exercise and “no risks associated with extremely high levels of physical activity,” defined as more than 2,500 minutes, or more than 41 hours, per week. Lear said that those who spent more than 750 minutes walking briskly each week lowered their risk of premature death by 36 percent.
Previous studies have underscored the importance of regular physical activity. For example, a study of 1,500 older women published earlier this year found that those who got less than 40 minutes of exercise each day and reported more than 10 hours of daily, sedentary behavior had cells that were eight biological years older than those of their more active contemporaries.
In addition to being physically harmful, too much sitting also might be damaging your brain. Researchers say that the more you move your body, the more alert your brain becomes.
FAQs
Highlights. Doing household chores is an effective way to stay active throughout the day. From cleaning to mopping the floor, there are multiple activities you can perform to burn calories. Performing household chores can also keep you moving even when you are at home.
Is doing household chores good for your health? ›
New Lancet study says household chores reduce heart disease risk. A new study says that short bouts of physical activity including household chores can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even premature death.
How does simple household chores help you improve your physical body? ›
By turning your household chores into a workout you can increase your heart rate and work your major muscle groups. From hoovering, mopping and dusting to gardening and even cleaning the kitchen, there's hundreds of exercises you can do at home.
How important is it to be helpful in doing the household chores why? ›
Doing chores helps children learn about what they need to do to care for themselves, a home and a family. They learn skills they can use in their adult lives, like preparing meals, cleaning, organising and gardening.
What health benefits can we gain from doing varied physical activities or household chores? ›
Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.
Are chores good or bad? ›
Research suggests there are benefits to including chores in a child's routine as early as age 3. Children who do chores may exhibit higher self-esteem, be more responsible, and be better equipped to deal with frustration, adversity, and delayed gratification.
Are chores good for the brain? ›
The new findings also correlate with a study by researchers in Singapore, published in 2021 in BMJ Open, in which older adults who reported doing a lot of housework had higher scores on attention and memory tests than those who did not. They also had lower risk of falls, as measured by balance and coordination tests.
Why are chores important for adults? ›
Doing chores is one way to incorporate more physical activity into the day. Having a clean and organized space can also decrease stress. Our occupational therapist Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L recommends chores for helping individuals develop responsibility and independence.
What are chores for mental health? ›
If you're stressed or anxious, doing household chores like organizing drawers, washing dishes, or mopping floors, can boost your mood and reduce your anxiety.
How does doing chores teach responsibility? ›
Kids begin to see themselves as important contributors to the family. They feel a connection to the family. Holding them accountable for their chores can increase a sense of themselves as responsible and actually make them more responsible.
A study from Harvard University found that children who do chores end up doing better later in life. They were more likely to be happier, healthier, and more independent once they grew up. It helps you feel more confident and more positive about yourself.
Why is health important in everyday life? ›
Your health is one of the most important things in your life. It affects your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. That's why it's so important to be proactive about your health and take steps to prevent illness and disease. Being proactive in health means taking steps to improve your health before you get sick.
What are 5 benefits of regular physical activity? ›
Benefits of regular physical activity
- reduce your risk of a heart attack.
- manage your weight better.
- have a lower blood cholesterol level.
- lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
- have lower blood pressure.
- have stronger bones, muscles and joints and lower risk of developing osteoporosis.
- lower your risk of falls.
Some household chores can be comparable to other forms of moderate exercise to benefit your waistline, your cardiovascular fitness, and even your mental health.
What are the disadvantages of daily chores? ›
While broken bones and cuts are the more obvious injuries, repetitive-motion chores can cause problems, too, says Dr. Desai. Often, they can lead to long-term health issues, such as: Tendinitis (pain and soreness around a joint)
How often should you do each household chore? ›
Kitchen and bathroom surfaces get cleaned every few days — more often when food is involved. Spills and trash get taken care of on an as-needed basis every day or two. Vacuuming and mopping should happen at least once a week. Clean carpets every three to six months.
What are the disadvantages of doing household chores? ›
There are, of course, some downsides to giving children chores.
- Chores can be stressful. ...
- Chores can eat into free time. ...
- Chores can be seen as a punishment. ...
- Chores can feel unfair. ...
- Chores can teach kids that tasks are transactional. ...
- Chores can cause family arguments.
Does Cleaning Count as Exercise? If those perks sound worth putting in the sweat, you can include cleaning as a part of your weekly exercise tally! There's growing evidence that even relatively short periods of physical activity, like simple household cleaning chores, offer some improvement of your fitness.
