Feeling stressed at work? Not sure what you should do to relax? Well, here’s your answer. Go wash some dishes in your office kitchen.

A recent study suggests that washing dishes can be a relaxing experience – but only if you do it the right way. Here’s what researchers found:

  • Study participants who focused on the sensory aspects of the experience (including the slippery feel of the dishes, the smell of the soap, the warmth of the water, etc.) felt less nervous and more inspired after completing the task.
  • Study participants who only focused on washing the dishes properly experienced no change. If they were feeling lousy before washing the dishes, they felt just as lousy afterwards.

So go ahead and wash those dishes that your coworkers left in the sink! Just make sure you do it the right way. Take your time and really enjoy the soapy experience!

 

Lukits, A. (2015, September 29). Wash the Dishes While You Cleanse Your Mind. The Wall Street Journal, p. D4.