Housework 'boosts moods

saratiddyThu 10/04/08 14:10

According to an article on AOL today -

Just 20 minutes of housework a week boosts moods while regular exercise in middle age can slow down ageing, according to research.

Two new studies added to the weight of evidence on the benefits of taking exercise.

The first showed how just 20 minutes of housework or gardening a week can reduce feelings of psychological distress.

Those who managed to do even more exercise each week or who took part in sports had their spirits lifted even further, it showed.

Although exercise is known to boost people's mental health, researchers from University College London [UCL] wanted to find out how long people should exercise for and what type was best.

They asked 19,842 men and women taking part in the Scottish Health Survey how much exercise, and what kind of activities, they did every week.

People were also quizzed about their state of mind, with 3,200 members of the group found to be suffering stress or anxiety according to a commonly-used mental health scale.

The study found that any form of daily physical activity was linked to lower levels of distress even when factors like age and long-term health problems were taken into account.

The range of activities shown to improve mood included housework, gardening, walking and sports.

Writing in the British Journal of Sports medicine, the authors concluded: "Mental health benefits were observed at a minimal level of at least 20 minutes each week of any physical activity, although a dose-response pattern was demonstrated with greater risk reduction for activity at a higher volume and/or intensity."

... Anyone want to come around to do my housework for me, I am only asking because I am worried about your health of course.

densboyThu 10/04/08 14:10

and mine, housework certainly does not boost my mood

tattmanThu 10/04/08 14:11

I heard this, this morning at the gym! Interesting I suppose some cleaning can be quite aerobic and therefor release those exercise chems :-)

Although is it a plot to get people cleaning LOL?

ricksterThu 10/04/08 14:21

Housework 'boosts moods

If that's the case, you wanna see what decorating it has done for me!

chrisalawThu 10/04/08 14:27

Why have I started to sing that Queen song, ‘I want to break free'?

densboyThu 10/04/08 14:28

quoting > "... Anyone want to come around to do my housework for me, I am only asking because I am worried about your health of course."

I really thought that was why you kept your trained monkey quickfind:midler

saratiddyThu 10/04/08 14:32

quoting > "I really thought that was why you kept your trained monkey quickfind:midler"

... Thanks for that ...... I nearly wet myself laughing!!!!!! That comment has made my day!!!!

densboyThu 10/04/08 14:33

you are w4lcome sara, he may kill me, but hey ho

saratiddyThu 10/04/08 14:36

I must admit he is more Flying Monkey than Trained Monkey.

If he does kill you, don't worry it appears there is a Gay only cemetery opening up in Copenhagen, do you want me to book you a slot just in case?

densboyThu 10/04/08 14:37

quoting > "If he does kill you, don't worry it appears there is a Gay only cemetery opening up in Copenhagen, do you want me to book you a slot just in case?"

nah, it would take rather more than monkey boy to fell me:)

saratiddyThu 10/04/08 14:53

He is no Boy!!!! And more like a Gorilla than a Monkey.

densboyThu 10/04/08 14:54

quoting > "He is no Boy!!!! And more like a Gorilla than a Monkey."

hes a boy comparedto me, but yeah ill give you the gorilla bit, or maybe baboon?