Apr 26 2010
Motivation For Doing Housework – 7 Reasons Why Doing Housework is Great For Your Health & Happiness
Doing housework on a regular basis can really help towards your health and fitness goals.
The physical, aerobic nature of much housework can reap rewards for your figure and fitness, especially when you carry out your chores with an intention to trim/tone and you tweak your movements for maximum benefit.
But the bonuses aren’t limited to burning calories. There are a number of wonderful ‘knock-on’ benefits that also occur when doing the housework is your exercise of choice. The housework workout can be good for your physical, mental and emotional health; your self-esteem; your family harmony; it can even be good for your bank account!
So here are 6 more reasons why a housework-workout can be so great for your health and happiness…
Calmer karma
Possibly the biggest advantage of doing housework as exercise is the subtle but hugely beneficial attitude shift. By viewing your chores as a route to health and fitness, you see them in a whole new (more positive) light.
Approaching your housework tasks as workout-aids turns mundane work to your advantage. This reduces resentment or the sense of futility that can result from taking care of a home. This aspect alone will do wonders for your happiness and well-being – not to mention your relationships.
For sanity’s sake
Any form of exercise is not only good for your physical health, it’s a real tonic for your mental health, too. But being on top of your domestic schedule brings an added psychological boost: it reduces the stress of feeling overwhelmed with housework. This naturally results in a healthier mental state.
Get-up-&-go
Exercise increases your energy. But the state of your home can also seriously affect your energy levels. So, if your home is orderly and enjoyable as a result a housework/exercise regime, you get a double energy-boost!
Plus, in Feng Shui terms, the positive Chi (energy) will create a wonderful ripple effect across all aspects of your life, including your health, love-life and career success.
Breathing Space
When doing housework as a form of workout, you’re multi-tasking.. You’ll no longer need to shoehorn exercise into your timetable (or feel guilty about not squeezing it in…) This not only creates more free-time, but you get to enjoy it in a clean and tidy home!
Soaring self-esteem
You’re more likely to feel better about yourself when you’re in good shape. So exercise can be a great boost to your self-esteem. But when doing the housework is your chosen path to health and gorgeousness, you get a bonus confidence boost of a beautiful, well-kept home. Imagine how great that feels!
Wealth & fitness
Exercising at home saves a fortune in gym fees, fuel, workout gear etc. And a housework-workout requires no expensive equipment. Plus if you previously hired a cleaner or housekeeper, you’ll have less need for their services – yet another saving.
It’s also been suggested that the state of your home is quite an accurate reflection of the state of your finances. So by cleaning up your abode, you could end up cleaning up at the bank, too!
So why not try doing housework as a form of exercise? The worst that can happen is you end up with a tidier home and your chores done. More likely, though, you’ll become not only fit and fabulous, but more confident, happy and successful, too.
For more tips on how to stay sane, healthy and happy as you take care of home and family, sign up for free sample chapters from my book Housework Blues – A Survival Guide (How to cope with the mental and emotional challenge of keeping a home): http://www.houseworkblues.com. Or check out my blog, Make Peace with Housework: http://www.makepeacewithhousework.com.