Doing Household Chores Can Keep Your Brain Healthy as You Age—So, Stop Putting Them Off

benefits of doing house chores

  • Nan Wise, PhD , licensed psychotherapist, cognitive neuroscientist, and certified sex therapist

For the study, which sought to draw links between doing chores and brain health and cognition, 66 cognitively healthy older adults underwent three medical assessments, including a health evaluation, structural brain imaging, and a cognitive assessment. They were also asked how often they spent tidying up their home, meal-prepping, doing housework, yard work, and other to-do list activities.

The conclusion? Those who were 'to-do'-ing more around the home displayed more brain volume in the hippocampus and frontal lobe, which are the brain areas that help with memory, learning, and cognition. So essentially, when you’re performing seemingly mindless chores like, say, scrubbing your table or doing a load of laundry , you actually may be sharpening your brain.

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Of course, the study was limited in terms of its narrow testing and focus on a specifc age group, but it does track that the benefits of doing chores would include brain health. First, the organizational and planning aspect of chores (see: making your to-do list, color-coding the books on in your bookcase, and so on) may promote the formation of new neural connections. Second, chores may also keep you active in a way that's similar to low-intensity aerobic exercise, which can bolster heart health and, subsequently, help brain health, too.

"Lots of movement is the most important brain exercise known to man. So, however we can make the chore into something active can enhance the quality of our brain health." —Nan Wise, PhD, neuroscientist

"If we can be physically active when doing chores, that’s really good for the brain," says neuroscientist  Nan Wise, PhD . "Lots of movement is the most important brain exercise known to man. So, however we can make the chore into something active can enhance the quality of our brain health."

Furthermore, the benefits of doing chores can also extend to relieving stress , since cleaning can promote a sense of control, and organization can help calm down the nervous system. And considering that stress can compromise all facets of wellness , including our cognitive brain health, that’s a major win as well.

Still grimacing at the idea of cleaning your room? I get it—me, too. To help motivate yourself to grow to reap the benefits of doing chores, Dr. Wise suggests adding some creative movement into your routine. For instance, dance while vacuuming or dusting! Listen to music to make it as fun as possible. You can further gamify it however you'd like, too.

"Train your brain while doing chores in the house by changing things up," Dr. Wise suggests as a way to introduce novelty. "Think about how you can be most effective in going about your chores, and then implement some new routines. Do a bit of research about the best methods that you can use for cleaning or doing laundry or balancing your checkbook."

So while it may seem easier to let your water glasses linger in your room or go  just  one more week without Swiffering, it’s equally easy to get down and dirty with your chores...and help your mind stay sparkling for years to come.

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10 Reasons Why Household Chores Are Important

Whether we like it or not, household chores are a necessary part of everyday life, ensuring that our homes continue to run efficiently, and that our living environments remain organized and clean, thereby promoting good overall health and safety. Involving children in household chores gives them opportunity to become active participant in the house. Kids begin to see themselves as important contributors to the family. Holding children accountable for their chores can increase a sense of themselves as responsible and actually make them more responsible.

Children will feel more capable for having met their obligations and completed their tasks. If you let children off the hook for chores because they have too much schoolwork or need to practice a sport, then you are saying, intentionally or not, that their academic or athletic skills are most important. And if your children fail a test or fail to block the winning shot, then they have failed at what you deem to be most important.

They do not have other pillars of competency upon which to rely. By completing household tasks, they may not always be the star student or athlete, but they will know that they can contribute to the family, begin to take care of themselves, and learn skills that they will need as an adult. Here is a list of household chores for kids:

1. Sense of Responsibility

Kids who do chores learn responsibility and gain important life skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. Kids feel competent when they do their chores. Whether they’re making their bed or they’re sweeping the floor, helping out around the house gives them a sense of accomplishment. Doing daily household chores also helps kids feel like they’re part of the team. Pitching in and helping family members is good for them and it encourages them to be good citizens.

Read here a detail blog: Routine helps kids

2. Beneficial to siblings

It is helpful for siblings of kids who have disabilities to see that everyone in the family participates in keeping the family home running, each with responsibilities that are appropriate for his or her unique skill sets and abilities.

Having responsibilities like chores provides one with a sense of both purpose and accomplishment.

4. Preparation for Employment

Learning how to carry out household chore is an important precursor to employment. Chores can serve as an opportunity to explore what your child excels at and could possibly pursue as a job down the road.

5. Make your life easier

Your kids can actually be of help to you! At first, teaching these chores may require more of your time and energy, but in many cases your child will be able to eventually do his or her chores completely independently, ultimately relieving you of certain responsibilities.

6. Chores may make your child more accountable

If your child realizes the consequences of making a mess, he or she may think twice, knowing that being more tidy in the present will help make chores easier.

7. Develop fine and gross motor skills and planning abilities

Tasks like opening a clothes pin, filling and manipulating a watering can and many more actions are like a workout for the body and brain and provide practical ways to flex those muscles!

8. Teach empathy

Helping others out and making their lives easier is a great way to teach empathy. After your daughter completes a chore, you can praise and thank her, stating, “Wow… great job! Because you helped out, now Mommy has one less job to do. I really appreciate that!”

9. Strengthen bonds with pets

There is a growing body of research about how animals can help individuals with special needs. When your child feeds and cares for his pet, it strengthens their bond and makes your pet more likely to gravitate toward your child.

10. Gain an appreciation and understanding of currency

What better way to teach your child the value of a rupee than by having him earn it. After your child finishes his chores,  pay him right away and immediately take him to his favorite toy store where he can buy something he wants.

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I love this! This has a lot of awesome information.

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Thank you! Glad you like the information.

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very well done it is resanoble reasons

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cool info it helps me see why chores are important.

Thanks for your kind reply.

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This was really helpful for a school debate!

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Very helpful article!

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My daughter has to speak about a topic which is why and how we should help our parent in household chores and this helped her a lot

Thanks so much for your feedback! All the best to your daughter.

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Thnks a lot! the article helped a lot in my assignment and there is very nice information, Thank you!

Thanks, glad you found it useful.

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Very nice article…Thank you 🙂

Thank you! Glad you liked it.

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Very good article about house chore

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This is very helpful for a student like me

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20 Developmental Benefits of Household Chores

  september 13, 2019.

benefits of doing house chores

“Peter, you’re in charge of dusting. Scott, you need to vacuum the rooms upstairs and downstairs, make sure to do the stairs – everyone of them – and the hallway. Greg, feed the pigs and collect the chicken eggs. Ben, clean up the dog poop and mow the law. After you are done with that, I need you all to weed the strawberries and then stack all the hay bales in the barn. Oh, and do the dishes, clean your rooms, brush your teeth and make sure your homework is done.”

This was the weekend list of chores that Mom would delegate to myself and my three younger brothers. We lived on a farm so there was always work to do. At the time, I hated doing chores but looking back, I’m glad she made us do the work. The long term benefits have been invaluable. Little did my mom realize, by assigning chores to her sons she was helping us develop essential skills of functional independence.

As a parent, we have an obligation to help our children develop mentally, emotionally and physically. Household chores are an excellent opportunity to do so! Here are 20 benefits to involving your child with chores around the house:

20 Benefits of Involving Children in Household Chores:

  • Development of organizational, sequencing and executive functions
  • Practice and development of delayed gratification
  • Improved understanding of following instructions and ordinal processes
  • Fine and gross motor skills are developed and refined
  • Development of a variety of ADL (acts-of-daily-living) skills
  • Vocational skills are established and developed
  • Improved healthy self esteem & confidence
  • Provides children with “successes” that they can build upon
  • Development of independence
  • Reinforces the importance of routine and structure
  • Develops the concept of first work, then play
  • Results in a stronger work ethic
  • Provides opportunities for language development that is essential to early academic success including basic spatial, temporal and quantitative concepts
  • Helps build children’s self monitoring and evaluative skills
  • Prepares children to complete more complex tasks
  • Enables children to develop various aspects of teamwork and sense of belonging
  • Establishes a sense of ownership
  • Development of sense of responsibility
  • Improves critical thinking/problem solving skills
  • Helps increase task tolerance and attention

Age Appropriate Chores

How should we go about assigning tasks to our children? The chore that we ask our children to complete should match their age and or abilities. As we grow and develop, our jobs grow in complexity, duration and skill level. The following are suggested activities to help your children succeed and benefit from helping around the house:

2-3 Years Old

  • Dust a room
  • Pick up toys
  • Put dirty laundry in the hamper
  • Fold rags or dish cloths
  • Put away forks and spoons
  • Put garbage in the trash can

4-6 Years Old

  • Feed and clean up after pet
  • Set the table
  • Clear the table
  • Make their bed
  • Empty small trash cans
  • Sweep with a small broom
  • Put away groceries
  • And all previous chores listed

7-11 Years Old

  • Clean bathroom, including toilet
  • Clean the care
  • Task the trash bins to the curb
  • Wash the windows or mirrors
  • Organize toys and books
  • Retrieve the mail
  • Weed the garden
  • Fold laundry

12+ Years Old

  • Wash, dry, iron and fold laundry
  • Clean the dishes
  • Cook simple meals
  • Wash the car
  • Babysit siblings

I do. We do. You do.

Every family is different and some chores may be more appropriate depending on the child’s skills and situation. A simple, yet effective strategy for teaching a child a chore, is the “I do, we do, you do” approach. First demonstrate how to do the chore; second, do the chore with the child; and then finally have the child perform the chore on their own. You can scaffold this approach up or down as appropriate.

As you involve your child in chores around the house there will inevitably be some resistance, grumbling and possibly even some tantrums. Not to worry. Keep in mind your child’s skills and age as you assign tasks to ensure that you are assigning appropriate chores that they can fulfill. Over time their skills and ability to perform tasks will improve as you continue to involve them and one day in the future, they will thank you for it. 🙂

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Lower stress, reduced dementia risks, and more "me time.".

Posted August 12, 2022 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

  • Brain benefits of chores include a lower risk of dementia, according to new research.
  • One study found that mindful dishwashing resulted in a 27 percent decrease in nervousness for participants.
  • Researchers have found that undemanding tasks give the mind a break, allowing for more creative ideas.

Image by Liliana Drew, pexels, CC.

Cooking. Cleaning. Washing the dishes. Mowing the lawn. Making the bed. These household chores are never done; they just get repeated like a broken record. Boring ! Or are they?

While many people regard chores as necessary evils, there are science-based reasons to change your attitude about chores. It turns out that doing chores is great for your health—both physical and mental—and not always in the ways that you might think.

Here’s what recent research tells us about the value of ordinary household tasks:

1. Chores can lead to creative problem-solving.

As researchers state here in a study entitled, "Inspired by Distraction: Mind Wandering Facilitates Creative Incubation," doing undemanding tasks allows the mind to wander where it will. Your mind gets a break and allows you to consider old problems with new eyes. In fact, undemanding tasks stimulated more creative ideas than demanding tasks or just resting.

2. Chores are linked to lower dementia risk.

To discover what activities might be linked to a lower rate of dementia, researchers analyzed massive amounts of healthcare data from the UK Biobank. Some 500,000 participants who had an average age of 56.5 years were followed for an average of 10.7 years.

As summarized here, the researchers found that “Those most engaged in frequent exercise, household chores, and daily visits by friends and family had a 35 percent, 21 percent, and 15 percent lower risk of dementia compared to those least engaged in these activities.” These correlations do not imply causation, but they do illustrate how simple lifestyle changes can make big differences in health, as fellow Psychology Today blogger Christopher Bergland writes .

I wondered why chores might provide a buffer against dementia that was even stronger than visits from friends and family. Maybe—I'm speculating here—it’s because chores like washing the dishes, while seemingly simple, require more planning than you might think. And chores combine physical and mental activity, both of which reduce the risk of dementia. Not to mention that as we age, the ability to do chores is one factor keeping us independent.

3. Chores are health-promoting exercise snacks .

The evocative phrase “exercise snacks” refers to small, even tiny, morsels of physical activity, such as standing for a few minutes after sitting for a while, taking a two-minute walk, or doing a chore such as sweeping up the kitchen.

Researchers have studied the effects of exercise snacks ranging from 30 seconds, like walking up a flight of stairs, to 10 minutes, like cycling on a stationary bicycle. Some of the health effects included improved memory , increased coordination, mood lift, reduced risk of atherosclerosis, diabetes, and obesity, and increased longevity.

That's quite a payout for a short investment of time and energy. A recent study found that any short amount of activity after eating, such as standing, doing chores, or (best of all) a two-minute walk, could even lower blood sugar, according to this report . (Excuse me, I'm going out for a two-minute walk right now. Be right back.)

4. Finishing your chores can increase motivation .

What is the single most important skill in behavior change? BJ Fogg, author of Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything, asserts that the most important skill is recognizing and celebrating successes. That's why completing even a small task, like making your bed, can give you a sense of satisfaction and motivate you to tackle the next task... and the next... and the next. In the same vein, best-selling author and speaker Admiral William H. McRaven argues, "If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed." Small wins have an amazing ripple effect.

5. Chores are good for your mental health.

Completing chores increases your sense of " self-efficacy ," defined briefly as a person's belief that they have the ability and skills to reach their goals.

"Self-efficacy," a concept first developed by psychologist Albert Bandura in the 1970s, has been shown to increase confidence and motivation. As discussed in more detail here , "low self-efficacy, or learned helplessness , is associated with anxiety , depression , lack of hope and lack of motivation... while higher self-efficacy is associated with life satisfaction, self-confidence , social connection, and growth mindset ."

benefits of doing house chores

6. Chores are good for children's mental health.

Learning to do chores teaches children necessary housekeeping skills and provides "mastery experiences" that increase confidence.

To encourage children even more, psychology professor Lea Waters recommends that parents create a "success narrative" by noticing a child's small successes and acknowledging those accomplishments. In my own case (probably seen through a nostalgic rosy glow), my sister and I also learned to cooperate to get the kitchen cleaned up, and we bonded by gossiping and singing together while we did it.

7. Doing chores can reduce stress.

A small study from Florida State University explored whether the chore of dishwashing, done mindfully, could reduce stress. Using a group of 51 students, they discovered that dishwashers who were instructed to be mindful when washing dishes—focusing on the smell of the soap, the warmth of the water, and the feel of the dishes—reported a decrease in nervousness by 27 percent and an increase in mental inspiration (see #1) by 25 percent.

Although the control group didn’t experience the benefits reported above, I wonder if just finishing a necessary chore in itself relieves some stress. It's a good feeling to cross something off your to-do list or improve your living space. More research, please.

Chores that reduce clutter can also reduce stress. Various studies have indicated that clutter can be linked to higher cortisol—a stress hormone —and can also interfere with focusing. I love the title of author Gretchen Rubin's book: Outer Order, Inner Calm. That about sums it up. So if you’ve been yearning to clean out that junk drawer, do it. You’ll feel better.

8. Chores are an opportunity for “me time.”

Wanna get away? Doing repetitive chores allows you to access your inner thoughts, reflect on them, and retreat from your busy life.

Even chores you dislike can be made more meaningful in one simple way: Ask yourself why you are doing the chore. In this way, you can remind yourself of your basic values. For example: Maybe you take pride in a clean and well-organized house or in delicious, well-prepared food. Maybe doing chores is a way of contributing to the well-being of yourself or your family. Maybe you value the beauty of your lawn and garden and houseplants. Maybe you value the competence you feel when you complete a task successfully.

That said, it would be impossible not to resent household tasks at times. My fix? I focus on gratitude , reminding myself that I am lucky to be independent, alert, and vigorous enough to do those chores.

(c) Meg Selig, 2022. All rights reserved.

Facebook image: Stock-Asso/Shutterstock

LinkedIn image: Odua Images/Shutterstock

Meg Selig

Meg Selig is the author of Changepower! 37 Secrets to Habit Change Success .

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How housework can improve our mental and physical health

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Some experts argue that doing the household chores could contribute to healthy ageing. Image:  UNSPLASH/Annie Spratt

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  • Older adults who continue to perform household chores have better cognition, attention span, and physical strength compared to those who no longer do their own home keeping chores.
  • Housework in older adults was also linked to a decreased risk of falls.
  • Below is an exploration of the science behind these statistics.

Housework is linked to sharper memory, attention span, and better leg strength, and by extension, greater protection against falls, in older adults, finds research published in the open access journal BMJ Open .

The findings were independent of other regular recreational and workplace physical activities, and active commuting.

Regular physical activity is good for maintaining optimal physical and mental health. And among older adults, it curbs the risks of long term conditions, falls, immobility, dependency and death.

Yet global monitoring data indicate that in 2016, physical activity was well below recommended weekly levels and had budged little in a decade, with people in high income countries more than twice as likely to be couch potatoes as those in low income countries.

Given that housework involves physical activity and is an indicator of the ability to live independently, the researchers wanted to explore whether doing the household chores might contribute to healthy aging and boost physical and mental capacity among older adults in a wealthy country.

They included 489 randomly selected adults, aged between 21 and 90, with fewer than 5 underlying conditions and no cognitive issues. All were living independently in one large residential town in Singapore, and able to carry out routine daily tasks.

Participants were divided into two age bands: 21-64 year olds (249; average age 44), classified as ‘younger’; and 65-90 year olds (240; average age 75), classified as ‘older.’

Walking (gait) speed and sit-to-stand speed from a chair (indicative of leg strength and falls risk) were used to assess physical ability. Validated tests were used to assess mental agility (short and delayed memory, visuospatial ability, language and attention span) and physiological factors linked to falls.

Participants were quizzed about the intensity and frequency of household chores they regularly did, as well as how many other types of physical activity they engaged in.

Light housework included washing up, dusting, making the bed, hanging out the washing, ironing, tidying up, and cooking. Heavy housework was defined as window cleaning, changing the bed, vacuuming, washing the floor, and activities such as painting/decorating.

Housework intensity was measured in metabolic equivalent of task (METs). These are roughly equivalent to the amount of energy (calories) expended per minute of physical activity. Light housework was assigned a MET of 2.5; heavy housework was assigned a MET of 4.

Have you read?

These forms of exercise are best for your mental health, exercise not only helps with mental health - it makes us more creative too, say scientists, couples who share the housework are more likely to have children.

Only around a third (36%; 90) of those in the younger group and only around half (48%;116) of those in the older age group, met the recommended physical activity quota from recreational physical activity alone.

But nearly two thirds (61%,152 younger; and 66%,159 older) met this target exclusively through housework.

After adjusting for other types of regular physical activity, the results showed that housework was associated with sharper mental abilities and better physical capacity. But only among the older age group.

Cognitive scores were 8% and 5% higher, respectively, in those doing high volumes of light or heavy housework compared with those in the low volume groups.

And the intensity of housework was associated with specific cognitive domains. Specifically, heavy housework was associated with a 14% higher attention score while light housework was associated with 12% and 8% higher short and delayed memory scores, respectively.

Similarly, sit-to-stand time and balance/coordination scores were 8% and 23% faster, respectively, in the high volume group than they were in the low volume group.

Those in the younger age group had five more years of education on average than their older counterparts. And since education level is positively associated with baseline mental agility and slower cognitive decline, this might explain the observed differences in the impact of housework between the two age groups, explain the researchers.

This is an observational study, and as such, can’t establish cause, they caution, adding that the study relied on subjective reporting of physical activity levels and the volume and intensity of household chores.

But they point to previous research indicating a link between aerobic exercise and improved cognitive function, so the sharper mental agility associated with housework might occur through similar mechanisms, they suggest.

One in four people will experience mental illness in their lives, costing the global economy an estimated $6 trillion by 2030.

Mental ill-health is the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people aged 10–24 years, contributing up to 45% of the overall burden of disease in this age-group. Yet globally, young people have the worst access to youth mental health care within the lifespan and across all the stages of illness (particularly during the early stages).

In response, the Forum has launched a global dialogue series to discuss the ideas, tools and architecture in which public and private stakeholders can build an ecosystem for health promotion and disease management on mental health.

One of the current key priorities is to support global efforts toward mental health outcomes - promoting key recommendations toward achieving the global targets on mental health, such as the WHO Knowledge-Action-Portal and the Countdown Global Mental Health

Read more about the work of our Platform for Shaping the Future of Health and Healthcare , and contact us to get involved.

And they conclude: “These results collectively suggest that the higher cognitive, physical and sensorimotor functions related to heavy housework activities might plausibly be associated with lower physiological fall risk among community-dwelling older adults.”

They add: “Incorporating [physical activity] into daily lifestyle through domestic duties (ie, housework) has the potential to achieve higher [physical activity], which is positively associated with functional health, especially among older community-dwelling adults.”

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benefits of doing house chores

MSU Extension

The benefits of kids doing chores.

Holly Tiret <[email protected]> , Michigan State University Extension and Rebecca Hodges, WMU Child Development Intern - September 29, 2016

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The entire family can benefit from kids helping out around the house.

Even though they might complain occasionally, most children are happy and capable of helping out around the house. Establishing a chore routine and assigning chores starting at an early age will be beneficial to both parents and children. Michigan State University Extension suggests children do chores to gain a number of benefits.

Kids get more out of chores than you might think

Children who help out around the house with family chores will grow as a person. Confidence and self-efficacy can improve as your child learns and uses their abilities to achieve a chore goal. Additionally, children can learn to feel pride in their work when they are reminded that their chores help everyone in the family. Work around the house and tackling new chores also teaches children life-skills that will help them stay on task and be productive for the rest of their lives.

When children take part of the family chore load, there are benefits for everyone. If chores are divided evenly, there will be more time for parents and children to spend time together once everyone’s tasks are completed. Structure and routine can also help parents build their child’s self-control and, in turn, reduces power struggles with parents. Children will begin feeling more successful and confident as they master new chores, and everyone will feel proud of the work that’s done.

The University of Arkansas System created an age appropriate chore chart for children ages 2 to early teenage years. This has good examples of chores that can help inform your choices when assigning chores to your kids.

Age appropriate chore ideas:

  • 2- to 3-year-olds can put toys away, dress themselves and help put clean dishes away by sorting silverware.  
  • 4- to 5-year-olds can help feed pets, make their beds (maybe not perfectly) and help clear the table after dinner.
  • 6- to 7-year-olds can wipe tables and counters, put laundry away and vacuum floors.
  • 7- to 9-year-olds can load and unload the dishwasher, help prepare meals and make their own lunch.
  • 10- to 11-year-olds can change their bedding, clean kitchen or bathrooms and mow the lawn.
  • Children aged 12 and above can wash the car, babysit younger siblings and help shop for groceries with a list.

It's important to keep a few things in mind when assigning chores to your kids. First and foremost, keep chores age and developmentally appropriate and be specific with instructions when working with younger children. Consistency and patience helps children take on new chore responsibilities, so stick with the family plan!

Chores benefit children and parents alike. They are an important way for you to help children feel like they are contributing members of the family household. This, in turn, helps them to learn a sense of belonging and the value of being a contributing member of a group. This value can grow as they do. So, whether through a school project, neighborhood cleanup, showing up to soccer practice on time, or serving lunch at the local soup kitchen, all of us benefit from children taking part in chores. 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension . For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu . To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters . To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts , or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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LIBRARY OF ARTICLES: : Responsibility and Chores :

Part i – benefits of chores, the chore conflict.

young boy sweeping hallway

“Just wait a minute. I promise – I’ll do it later.” “Aw Mom, do I have to??” “Angie doesn’t have to do this; why do I have to?”

How many times have you heard these refrains or something similar when you request your children to do a chore around the house? Chances are it has been often.

Children can be pros at procrastination, excuses, resistance and refusal when it comes to chores. This causes much concern among parents and conflict between children and their parents.

From the Child’s Point of View

Why children resist doing chores.

Part of the explanation rests with the very nature of children.

Young children and teens are:

lacking in judgment. Most young children have no idea how much work is involved with the running of a household.

impulsive. They want what they want when they want it. Working at activities that are not immediately gratifying to them is not inherently on their agenda.

self-absorbed and concerned mainly about themselves and their own needs. They do not naturally consider the needs and expectations of others.

What Is Needed to be Motivated

Doing chores willingly requires:

  • mature judgment,
  • less impulsivity,
  • and more awareness of others’ perspectives and needs.

Children are not born with these traits; they develop gradually as children grow and mature.

Part of your job as parents is to socialize your children during the 18 or 20 years that they live with you by helping them to develop these mature qualities. Therefore, it should not be a surprise, and perhaps you should accept and expect, that they resist helping at home.

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Is it Worth the Struggle?

Insisting that chores be completed can feel like a never-ending battle. Because it can feel like you are constantly reminding, nagging, or imposing consequences just to get your children to follow through, you may decide to let chores slide. It becomes easier in the short run to do the jobs yourself.

Parents may be reluctant to engage in continuous struggles for fear of damaging their relationship with their children.

They may feel guilty asking their children to help; after all, children are so busy with all the other demands on them from school, peers and extra-curricular activities that you may be reluctant to add to the pressures.

Parents may believe their little ones are too young to take on responsibilities, not realizing how capable their youngsters actually can be.

The Benefits of Chores

The research.

Even though it is more difficult at the time to persist in having children do chores, kids benefit from the experience.  

Research indicates that those children who do have a set of chores have higher self-esteem, are more responsible, and are better able to deal with frustration and delay gratification, all of which contribute to greater success in school.

  Furthermore, research by Marty Rossman* shows that involving children in household tasks at an early age can have a positive impact later in life. In fact, says Rossman, “the best predictor of young adults’ success in their mid-20’s was that they participated in household tasks when they were three or four.”  

Life Skills

Doing chores gives a child the opportunity to give back to their parents for all you do for them. 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 . Children will feel more capable for having met their obligations and completed their tasks.

One of the most frequently sited causes of over-indulgence stems from parents doing too much for their children and not expecting enough of them. Not being taught the skills of everyday living can limit children’s ability to function at age appropriate levels.

For example:

5-year-old Sara goes to kindergarten and is one of the few students who has no idea how to put on and button her own coat. Sam, age 7, goes to a friend’s house for dinner but does not know how to pour juice for himself. Fast forward to Beth who at age 18 goes away to college not knowing how to do her own laundry.

By expecting children to complete self-care tasks and to help with household chores, parents equip children with the skills to function independently in the outside world.

With only so many hours in a day, parents need to help children decide how to spend their time and to determine what is most important.

  • Self-Esteem

If you let children off the hook for chores because they have too much schoolwork or need to practice a sport, then you are saying, intentionally or not, that their academic or athletic skills are most important.

And if your children fail a test or fail to block the winning shot, then they have failed at what you deem to be most important. They do not have other pillars of competency upon which to rely.

By completing household tasks, they may not always be the star student or athlete, but they will know that they can contribute to the family, begin to take care of themselves, and learn skills that they will need as an adult.

Setting the Tone

Role modeling.

In addition to being steadfast in the belief that it is important to have children complete chores, your attitudes can help set the tone that will increase possible cooperation in your household. You can consider how you look at your “chores” – you are your children’s most important role model.

benefits of doing house chores

You can send the message that chores are a bore and something to be avoided at all costs.

Conversely, you can send the message that these are the tasks that need to be completed in order for your household to run smoothly and that everyone in the family is encouraged and expected to participate.

Encouraging Participation

Young children naturally want to be a part of the family and want to help. Ideally, you will encourage their participation (even if it takes more work on your part in the short run).

By the age of three, youngsters can be assigned their own tasks, for which they are responsible, such as pulling up the sheets on their bed or placing the napkins on the table or sorting the laundry.

The size of the task does not matter; the responsibility associated with it does.

Assigning Chores

For those parents who did not begin a chore regimen when their kids were little, you can still start a plan now. You can take some time to think about what tasks you need help with, what life skills your children need to learn, and what are each child’s interests and abilities.  

Consider these Questions

What chores do you want completed in your home?

Are the ones already selected the best fit for each of your children and ones that are most meaningful to the running of your household?

Are there life skills that a particular child needs to learn?

Do you want to tie allowance to chore completion?

Ask for Input

As you contemplate these decisions, you can ask your children for their input. Children are more cooperative when they have a say. Also, brainstorm ideas for overcoming any obstacles you have faced in the past, such as children not following through, arguing, or not doing a thorough job.

Hold Family Meetings

Many parents hold a family meeting to discuss chores and when and how they will be starting, revising, or re-instating them. Such times together can build morale, improve relationships, and facilitate creative problem solving.

Update your Chore Plan

Some families use birthdays as natural markers for examining what responsibilities as well as what privileges their children are receiving.  

Other, naturally occurring breaks that lend themselves to instituting or revisiting a chore plan include the beginning or end of the school year or returning from vacations.  

One question that parents frequently ask is whether allowance should be tied to the completion of chores. This is a personal call, with experts weighing in on both sides.  

Option 1 – Do Chores to Earn Allowance

Some parents feel quite resentful of handing their children money if the youngsters do not assist with the running of the household.

For these parents, the money is an incentive for a job well done. Just as adults must learn to complete a job satisfactorily in order to be paid, some parents want to instill that same work ethic in their children.

Under these circumstances, parents would want to pay the child an allowance as compensation for a job well done.

Option 2 – Chores and Allowance are Separate

Other parents want their children to help around the house as a contributing member of the family , not because there is money or other external rewards associated with it.

These families believe that it takes a lot of effort for a household to function smoothly and that their children should participate without pay because they are a part of the family.

In addition, some families want their children to learn to be financially responsible and are concerned that if the chores are not satisfactorily completed, then their children will not receive pay and will not have the opportunity to budget or make spending choices.

For either of the above reasons, these families may want to separate chore completion from allowance.

Option 3 – Earn Privileges

One alternative to paying money may be to have children earn privileges for completing their chores .

For example, a teen may earn the right to use the car on the weekends by washing the automobile. A school-age child may earn the privilege to have friends over to play if he throws away the trash and puts away the games after a previous gathering.

Revisiting Allowance

Providing an allowance and under what circumstances is an individual decision, one that parents can revisit and alter during any of the re-evaluation sessions they hold as a family.

Be convinced of the importance of chores in developing your children’s character. If you firmly believe in their value, you will communicate this message to your children and you will be less likely to give in to their delay tactics or resistance.

Consider how you look at your “chores” – you are your children’s most important role model. As such, they will watch you and decide if responsibilities are met with acceptance and grace or with resentment and anger.

Make chores a regular part of the family routine – it is expected that everyone over the age of 3 will be responsible for certain tasks to keep the household functioning.

Decide if allowance will be given for the completion of chores.

Children may not thank you in the short term for giving them chores. This is a case where the goal is not necessarily to make your children happy; rather it is to teach them life skills and a sense of responsibility that will last a lifetime.

____________________________________________________________

  For more information about children and chores, check out the following books. Purchasing from Amazon.com through our website supports the work we do to help parents do the best job they can to raise their children.

How Much is Enough? by Jean Illsley Clarke

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The Benefits of Giving Kids Chores

Why helping with household chores is good for your grade-schooler

Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight

There are many advantages to giving kids chores to do around the house. While it can often be easier to just do the household chores yourself—especially when it takes five times as long to explain to your 5-year-old what needs to get done, and then supervise her while she does it—the fact is that helping out with everyday tasks is important for your child’s development. Find chores that your child will be able to do at his particular stage of development (some will be more suitable for younger kids while others will be perfect for older children to tackle by themselves) and work out a schedule and system that will work for your child.

Why Giving Kids Chores Can Be Good for Them

 The small tasks your 5-year-old can do around the house may not seem like much, but they can teach your child valuable lessons that will last into his preteen years and beyond. By the time your grade-schooler is 9 or 10-years-old, he can make significant contributions to household tasks. Some examples of the ways chores can benefit kids:

  • Giving kids chores can build self-esteem. Getting a chore done and doing it well can give your child a major sense of accomplishment. My 7-year-old vacuums and cleans the floor every weekend with a microfiber cloth. He sometimes grumbles when he’s not in the mood to do work, but he usually gets into it once he gets started. It also encourages independence because he's doing a good job by himself. And the look of satisfaction he gets on his face when he wrangles piles of dust bunnies: Priceless.
  • Giving kids chores can teach the importance of completing an assigned job. This will become more useful as your child gets older and has more responsibilities at school and at home.
  • Giving kids chores can emphasize the value of keeping things clean and organized. It’s easier to find things—and think clearly—when your environment is less cluttered. Getting your child into the habit of regularly picking up after herself is a great way to not only build a good routine that will benefit her for the rest of her life, but will help you keep cutting out the chaos in your house and make it more organized and peaceful.
  • Giving kids chores can set a pattern of helping around the house. Once you get your child into the household chore habit, it’ll become a part of his life that will continue into the teen years and beyond.
  • Giving kids chores can give him a sense of being part of the household "team." When my son asks why he has to do a chore, I explain that he’s a part of the family, and everyone in the family must do his share. By giving him the "we’re all in this together" way of looking at things, he is more likely to see his work as part of something bigger. He’s also less likely to see household chores as something he’s being singled out and forced to do since everyone is working together.

By Katherine Lee Katherine Lee is a parenting writer and a former editor at Parenting and Working Mother magazines.

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Doing Household Chores Can Help Your Brain Stay Younger and Healthier for Longer, Study Suggests

Canadian researchers found positive associations between routine housework and increased brain fitness in older adults.

Maggie Seaver is the digital health and wellness editor at Real Simple, with seven years of experience writing lifestyle and wellness content. She spends her days writing and editing stories about sleep, mental health, fitness, preventive health, nutrition, personal development, relationships, healthy habits, and beyond. She loves demystifying complicated health topics, debunking wellness fads, and sharing practical, science-backed solutions for healthy living.

benefits of doing house chores

It's long been known that engaging in routine physical activity is extremely important for promoting brain health and longevity. Whether through recreational activities (a family bike ride) or formal vigorous exercise (a 45-minute Peloton HIIT ride), we know that movement is a powerful way to keep the brain sharp, "young," and clear —both in the short and long term. But what about other forms of daily physical exertion that aren't typically considered "exercise" or categorize as recreational? Do house- and yard-work offer similar brain-boosting effects to a brisk walk or backyard game of tag with the kids?

A study published in February 2021 in the journal BMC Geriatrics found that performing routine household chores—like gardening, vacuuming, sweeping, doing laundry, and reorganizing the winter coat closet—had positive associations with both brain volume and cognition in older adults.

Researchers with the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest Hospital in Ontario, Canada, set out to see whether household physical activity had any healthy influences on brain volume and cognition by studying a group of 66 cognitively unimpaired older adults. The adults underwent health and cognitive evaluations, structural brain imaging, and a physical activity assessment. Then researchers also measured their brain volume, gray matter volume, and white matter volume, assessing four main cognitive functions: memory, working memory/attention, processing speed, and executive function. As Baycrest shared in a statement, the researchers found that the adults who spent more time doing odd jobs and housework chores (like cleaning, meal prep, and yard work) had greater brain volume, regardless of how much they exercised. (The greater the brain volume, the healthier and "younger" the brain!)

"Scientists already know that exercise has a positive impact on the brain, but our study is the first to show that the same may be true for household chores," said the lead study author, Noah Koblinsky, an exercise physiologist and project coordinator at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute. "Understanding how different forms of physical activity contribute to brain health is crucial for developing strategies to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults."

The study cites a few possible reasons for the outcome. One, chores by nature get people up and moving, which leads to less time being sedentary —a common and harmful lifestyle habit connected with decreased brain function and wellbeing, particularly as adults age. Two, it's safe to assume that performing manual household tasks, vigorous enough, can result in similar physical exertion to that of low-intensity aerobic exercise (think: walking, light yoga, or low-resistance cycling). And third, the planning and organization involved in household chores may promote the formation of new neural connections over time, even as we age, according to Baycrest. Keeping our existing neurons firing—as well as intentionally introducing new neural pathways —is essential for optimal brain fitness throughout life.

Killgore WDS, Olson EA Weber M. Physical exercise habits correlate with gray matter volume of the hippocampus in healthy adult humans . Sci Rep. 2013;3:3457.

Koblinsky ND, Meusel L-AC, Greenwood CE, Anderson ND. Household physical activity is positively associated with gray matter volume in older adults . BMC Geriatrics . 2021;21:104.

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Can Household Chores Be Considered Brain-Boosting Exercise?

benefits of doing house chores

Mopping floors, cleaning stovetops, dusting, and vacuuming may seem like hard labor, but new evidence may have you thinking differently about housework. A study published in Neurology in 2022 found a link between doing ordinary household chores and a lower risk of dementia . The researchers collected data from more than half a million cognitively normal adults ages 40 to 69, including information about their physical activity (leisure time and housework both counted) and mental activity, such as social interactions. They followed the subjects for an average of 10 years and found that regular housework-related activities were associated with a 21 percent lower risk of developing dementia. (Social engagement and other types of exercise were also beneficial.)

“That's a pretty significant reduction, on par with what we've seen from medical interventions to remove amyloid or reduce blood pressure,” says Sudha Seshadri, MD, FAAN, founding director of the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. “I think the real takeaway from this study, as well as other research, is that we shouldn't be prescribing a particular kind of exercise or activity, but that overall, not being sedentary is helpful in preventing dementia. Instead of seeing housework as drudgery, we can view things like doing the laundry and changing the sheets as doing something good for our health.”

“When you're cleaning mirrors or windows or walking around the house with a vacuum, you're exercising,” says Carolee J. Winstein, PhD, PT, professor of biokinesiology and physical therapy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. “You're moving around, you're increasing your heart rate and getting your circulation going, and you're getting out of breath. That doesn't mean you shouldn't also try to incorporate more structured forms of exercise into your day. Both are important. But if you didn't have time to go to the gym today, but you vacuumed and mopped your floors, you're still investing in yourself.”

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.

Given the potential brain health benefits of doing housework, caregivers and loved ones of people in the early stages of cognitive impairment should let them continue with their chores. “It's easy to think that you're helping by stepping in and doing the laundry or washing the dishes for them, especially if it takes them longer now,” says Vijay Ramanan, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. “But there can be great value in people retaining as much independent function as possible, as safely as possible, including the fact that it helps keep them more physically active.”

To fit more household chores into your day or make the most of the ones you're already doing, first identify which ones you like. “What you do is less important than whether you'll keep doing it. It's not any specific activity; it's finding consistent good lifestyle habits that will keep you active over time,” says Dr. Ramanan. “Some people may like keeping the kitchen sparkling clean, while others love getting out in the yard and laying down fertilizer and planting flowers.”

Apply exercise principles—like increasing speed, intensity, duration, and number of repetitions—to household tasks to make them more challenging. Mop your floors for 15 minutes instead of 10, for example. “Consider tasks like wiping down the kitchen or the bathroom counters or cleaning the bathroom mirror to be ‘movement snacks,’ and do them more frequently off and on throughout the day,” says Ryan Glatt, a personal trainer and senior brain health coach at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA.

You can also up your activity after food shopping by putting groceries in smaller bags, so you have to go back and forth between the car and your kitchen.

“If you have a list of daily tasks, think of them as an exercise circuit and try to do them as quickly as possible while still doing them well and safely,” says Glatt. “Put on up-tempo music and work at a faster pace to get your heart rate up.” Dr. Winstein adds, “Remind yourself that what you may have once thought was a grind is actually benefiting your health.”

Stay Safe While Cleaning

To avoid falls or other accidents when doing chores around the house, follow these tips from Carolee Winstein, PhD, PT, professor of biokinesiology and physical therapy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

Turn on the lights. Make sure the area you're working in is well lit.

Secure your footing. Remove throw rugs that might shift under you as you're dusting or straightening up. Avoid wet floors. Wear shoes with good traction.

Remain grounded. Don't use ladders or step stools when working alone.

Use supports. For balance or support, make use of grab bars or handrails in the shower or bathtub, or railings or banisters in outdoor areas with uneven surfaces like cobblestones.

Time it right. If you take drugs that can cause dizziness, such as blood pressure medications, or if you experience dizziness in general, do not do housework when you may start feeling dizzy.

Know your limitations. If your laundry room is down steep stairs, avoid carrying big loads so you can keep one hand on the railing. Instead, use a small basket and make multiple trips. Consider having the appliances moved to a safer place.

benefits of doing house chores

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Executive functions and household chores: Does engagement in chores predict children's cognition?

Deanna l. tepper.

1 La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia

Tiffani J. Howell

Pauleen c. bennett, associated data.

Data are available on request due to privacy/ethical restrictions.

Introduction

The benefits of completing household chores appear to transfer beyond managing day‐to‐day living. It is possible that chore engagement may improve executive functions, as engagement in chores require individuals to plan, self‐regulate, switch between tasks, and remember instructions. To date, little research has been conducted on household chores and executive functions in children, for whom these skills are still developing.

Parents and guardians ( N  = 207) of children aged 5–13 years ( M = 9.38, SD  = 2.15) were asked to complete parent‐report questionnaires on their child's engagement in household chores and their child's executive functioning.

Results of the regression model indicated that engagement in self‐care chores (e.g., making self a meal) and family‐care chores (e.g., making someone else a meal) significantly predicted working memory and inhibition, after controlling for the influence of age, gender, and presence or absence of a disability. For families with a pet, there was no significant relationship between engagement in pet‐care chores and executive function skills.

We strongly recommend that further research explore the relationship between chores and executive functions. It is possible that parents may be able to facilitate their child's executive function development through encouraging participation in chores, whereas chore‐based interventions (e.g., cooking programmes) may also be used to target deficits in ability.

Key points for occupational therapy

  • Self‐care chores (e.g., making self a meal) and family‐care (e.g., making someone else a meal) significantly predicted working memory and inhibition.
  • It is possible that interventions that incorporate household chore‐like activities (e.g., cooking or gardening) may be used to improve executive functions.
  • Parents may be able to use age‐ and ability‐appropriate chores to facilitate the development of executive functions.

1. INTRODUCTION

Both adults and children engage in a wide variety of daily tasks related to household labour, including activities such as food preparation and cleaning. Such tasks, commonly referred to as ‘chores’, allow individuals to meet basic dietary and hygiene needs (Klein et al.,  2009 ). It also appears that completing household chores has benefits beyond managing simple day‐to‐day living. In children, studies have found that engaging in age‐appropriate chores can increase feelings of autonomy (Weisner,  2001 ) and is associated with improved prosocial behaviours and greater life satisfaction (White et al.,  2019 ). Of emerging interest is the purported relationship between engagement in household chores and child cognitive development (Rende,  2021 ), particularly executive functioning. While there is some evidence to suggest that engagement in household chores is associated with the retainment of executive functions in older adults (Lee,  2018 ; Treiber et al.,  2011 ; Wang et al.,  2011 ), few studies have explored this relationship in children, for whom these skills are still developing.

‘Executive functions’ is an umbrella term for an array of cognitive processes associated with self‐regulation and goal‐directed behaviour (Diamond,  2012 ). Executive functions are commonly defined as (a) working memory (WM), the ability to monitor and manipulate temporary information; (b) inhibition, the ability to inhibit automatic responses or suppress irrelevant information to focus on a task; and (c) shifting, referring to the ability to move focus between tasks (Diamond,  2006 ; Miyake et al.,  2000 ). Typically, these skills begin to develop in early childhood and continue to develop into late adolescence and early adulthood (Diamond,  2012 ), with some variance associated with upbringing and cultural background (Schirmbeck et al.,  2020 ). Some children may experience delays in the development of these skills, with these delays commonly associated with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (Hill,  2004 ).

Impairments or delays in executive functioning can lead to difficulties in the ability to self‐regulate, plan, and problem solve (Moffitt et al.,  2011 ). Such difficulties have broader implications, as the successful attainment of these skills in early childhood is associated with later reading performance and mathematical ability (McKinnon & Blair,  2019 ) and is a predictor of overall academic achievement in later childhood (Willoughby et al.,  2011 , 2019 ). Additionally, studies have found a relationship between early executive functioning ability and engagement in tertiary education (Ahmed et al.,  2021 ), and research has suggested that poor self‐control in early childhood is associated with poorer physical health (Moffitt et al.,  2011 ; cf. Ahmed et al.,  2021 ) and poorer financial status in adulthood (Moffitt et al.,  2011 ).

Fortunately, research indicates it is possible to improve executive functions (Diamond & Lee,  2011 ). From an occupation‐centred perspective, executive functions may be improved by developing individualised learning activities and routines, which directly target deficits in planning, turn‐taking, and monitoring skills (Frolek Clark et al.,  2021 ; Frolek Clark & Schlabach,  2013 ; Maeir et al.,  2014 ). Additionally, occupational therapists can support the role that parents play in the development of their child's cognitive abilities (Frolek Clark et al.,  2021 ). Outside of a therapeutic context, as suggested by Júlio et al. ( 2019 ), household chores require individuals to exercise executive function skills by planning, self‐regulating, remembering instructions, and switching between tasks. As chores require the use of executive functions, it is therefore possible that greater engagement in household chores may predict or even improve executive functioning ability in children. To date, little research has explored this relationship. When conducting research on chores, it is important to recognise that parents have different expectations for their children's engagement in chores, often dependent upon the child's gender and level of functioning (Blakemore & Hill,  2008 ; Crouter et al.,  2001 ). Cultural background may also influence child participation in chores (Coppens & Rogoff,  in press ); however, it does appear that daughters are more likely to engage in household chores than sons, regardless of background (Coppens et al.,  2016 ; Sani,  2016 ). Research also indicates that younger children are better at completing chores related to self‐care (e.g., making one's own bed) compared with family care tasks (e.g., helping wash the dishes), whereas older children are capable of, and expected to complete, both types of tasks (Bowes et al.,  2001 ; Dunn,  2004 ; Dunn et al.,  2014 ; Goodnow et al.,  1991 ).

While previous studies have explored the differences in self‐care and family‐care chores (Bowes et al.,  2001 ; Dunn,  2004 ; Dunn et al.,  2014 ), one additional area that has yet to be examined is the benefits of children engaging in pet‐care related chores. Estimates have suggested that pet ownership is rising globally, due to increasing urbanisation, access to disposable income, changes to family size, and an increase in solo living (Alexander et al.,  2020 ; Growth From Knowledge,  2016 ). As most children display a natural affinity towards animals (LoBue et al.,  2013 ), and parents have reported that they are comfortable with children taking responsibility for some pet‐care related tasks, such as providing food, water, and exercise and toileting opportunities (Muldoon et al.,  2015 ), this chore type should be explored further.

The primary aim of the present study was to explore whether engagement in age‐appropriate household chores could predict executive functioning, for children aged between 5 and 13 years. Executive functions were measured using a parent‐report measure, as is standard in the literature, to provide an ecologically valid insight into everyday child behaviour (Shimoni et al.,  2012 ; Wallisch et al.,  2018 ). It was hypothesised that children who took on more household responsibilities would have greater executive function ability than children who did not complete household chores. Self‐care, family‐care, and pet‐care related chores were explored separately, to determine which, if any, type of chore best predicted executive function ability.

2.1. Participants

Individuals who were at least 18 years of age, fluent in English, and who were the parent or legal guardian of a child aged between 5 and 13 years of age were invited to participate. Data were collected between 5 July 2020 and 31 August 2020, using the Qualtrics web‐based survey platform ( www.qualtrics.com ; Provo, UT, USA). Participants were recruited via social media, online parenting forums, and through the professional contacts of the research team. Participants were also encouraged to share the survey link with other parents. In August 2020, the study was advertised on a regional Australian television network channel and published within a local newspaper.

A total 281 individuals participated in the online survey. Respondents were excluded from analysis if they did not complete the executive function measure. The final sample size was 207. Participants were aged between 20 and 58 years ( M  = 38.70, SD  = 6.60), and most participants were female ( n  = 190; 91.8%). The survey respondents represented 15 different countries across Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania, with most of the participants living in Australia ( n  = 150; 73.9%), the United Kingdom/Northern Ireland ( n  = 14; 6.9%), the United States of America ( n  = 12; 5.9%), New Zealand ( n  = 7; 3.4%), and Germany ( n  = 6; 3.0%). The majority of participants identified as Caucasian ( n  = 161; 77.8%) or Asian ( n  = 22; 10.6%).

Most participants were employed part‐time (≤39 hours per week; n  = 59; 28.5%) or full‐time ( n  = 38; 28.5%). Other participants reported they were students ( n  = 24; 11.6%), self‐employed ( n  = 21; 10.1%), homemakers ( n  = 17; 8.2), or were looking for work ( n  = 6; 2.9%). Data were collected during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and as such, some participants reported changes in employment, including working from home ( n  = 25; 12.1%) or losing employment due to the pandemic ( n  = 7; 3.4%).

2.2. Materials

2.2.1. demographics.

The participants were asked to provide demographic data for both themselves and for their child. This included the age, gender, and socio‐economic status of the participant, as well as the age and gender of their child, and if their child had any disabilities. Additional questions were provided to pet owners, such as pet species, pet age, and years of ownership.

To account for any impact of COVID‐19 on behaviour, participants were asked if their child has engaged in a different level of chore completion since the beginning of the pandemic (1 =  fewer chores than usual , 2 =  the same amount of chores as usual , to 3 =  more chores than usual ). An additional open‐ended question was provided to participants, ‘Is there anything more you would like to say about COVID‐19, and the responsibilities of your child?’

2.2.2. Childhood executive functioning inventory (CHEXI; Thorell & Nyberg,  2008 ; https://chexi.se/ )

The CHEXI is a 24‐item questionnaire that measures children's executive function abilities using parent‐ or teacher‐reports. The CHEXI has been developed for children aged 4 to 12 years and is appropriate for use across all abilities. Each item is measured using a 5‐point scale, with a higher score indicating larger executive function deficits. The CHEXI has four subscales, exploring WM, planning, regulation, and inhibition. The CHEXI is scored by summing the WM and planning subscales into a total ‘Working Memory’ scale ( α  > 0.85) and by summing regulation and inhibition into a total ‘Inhibition’ score ( α  > 0.85). The CHEXI has demonstrated moderate test–retest reliability ( r  = 0.74) and low‐moderate criterion validity with laboratory measures of executive function ( r  = 0.19–0.39) and the Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale IV ( r  = 0.27–0.36).

2.2.3. Children helping out: Responsibilities, expectations, and supports (CHORES; Dunn,  2004 )

The CHORES is a 34‐item questionnaire that collects parent‐report data on children's engagement in household chores. The CHORES is an occupation‐centred measure that was developed to address how child age and cultural background may influence chore engagement and to examine the level of parental assistance required to complete a task (Dunn,  2004 ; Dunn et al.,  2014 ). It was developed for children and adolescents aged 6–14 years and is appropriate for children of all abilities. The CHORES has two subscales, measuring Self‐Care ( α  = 0.96) and Family Care ( α  = 0.98) tasks, referring to tasks that solely affect the child or involve other members of the family, respectively. The CHORES has demonstrated strong test–retest stability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.94) and internal consistency ( r  = 0.93), with the Self‐Care ( α  = 0.96) and Family Care ( α  = 0.98) subscales also showing strong internal consistency.

The CHORES contains one item on pet care, asking if the child feeds the pet. To expand upon the pet care‐related chores a child may engage in, nine additional questions were developed by the research team. These questions were based on research by Muldoon et al. ( 2015 ), who stated that children can be responsible for providing food, water, and exercise, as well as grooming and toileting a pet. An example item is ‘[My child] brushes or grooms pet’.

2.2.4. Cat/Dog–Owner Relationship Scale (C/DORS; Howell et al.,  2017 )

Pet owners were asked to complete the C/DORS on behalf of their child. This encompasses items from the Monash Dog–Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS; Dwyer et al.,  2006 ) and the Cat Owner Relationship Scale (CORS; Howell et al.,  2017 ). The full C/DORS is a 33‐item self‐report questionnaire (Howell et al.,  2017 ), which has previously been used to explore overall pet ownership (Bowen et al.,  2020 ,  2021 ). This questionnaire explores how individuals view their own relationship with their pet, so it was slightly modified for the current study to ask parents to reflect on their child's relationship with the family pet. Individuals with more than one pet were asked to report on the pet that their child interacts with the most.

The questionnaire has three subscales measuring Perceived Emotional Closeness, Perceived Costs, and Pet–Owner Interaction. The reliability of the combined C/DORS is yet to be established, but the MDORS has demonstrated strong internal consistency for the Perceived Emotional Closeness ( α  = 0.84) and Perceived Costs ( α  = 0.80) subscale and moderate internal consistency for the Pet‐Owner Interaction ( α  = 0.67) subscale (Dwyer et al.,  2006 ). For the CORS, all subscales have demonstrated strong internal consistency ( α  > 0.70). For the purposes of this study, only the 11 items in the Pet–Owner Interaction subscale were included, and the stem for each question was modified to refer to a child. Each question was measured on a 6‐point scale. As some questions may not be relevant to certain pet species, a ‘not applicable’ option was provided.

2.3. Procedure

This project was approved by the La Trobe University Human Research Ethics Committee (Approval Number: HEC20247). The CHEXI and CHORES scales were presented to all participants. If the participants answered ‘yes’ to owning a pet in the demographic section, additional questions were provided, and the participants were also presented the pet‐related CHORES questions and the C/DORS subscale. All parents were asked if their child's engagement in chores had changed since COVID‐19.

2.4. Data analysis

Data were imported from Qualtrics to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS; version 23.0) program for analysis. Preliminary data were screened for errors as per Pallant (Pallant,  2013 , pp. 44–86). Two outliers were identified in the total self‐care chores score and the total family care score, respectively. As the mean and 5% trimmed mean were similar across variables, outliers were retained (Pallant,  2013 ). One of these outliers reflected a child with a traumatic brain injury. Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests indicated that WM ( P  = 0.027) and inhibition ( P  = 0.025) violated assumptions of normality, but as per Pallant (Pallant,  2013 , p. 66) and Field (Field,  2013 , pp. 184–185), this violation of normality is common in larger sample sizes, and as such, the data were not transformed.

Data were analysed from 207 parents and/or legal guardians. Descriptive analyses were conducted on the demographic information provided on the children of the participants. Frequency analyses were conducted on the individual CHORES items, using the binary performance data (0 =  does do , 1 =  does not do ). These data were further analysed using a series of Chi‐square tests for independence, to determine the association between engagement in chores and gender, using Yates' Correction for Continuity (Pallant,  2013 ). Effect sizes were calculated using phi (φ), with 0.1 = a small effect, 0.3 = a medium effect, and 0.5 = a large effect (Cohen,  1988 ). The association between engagement in chores and age was also explored, with age collapsed into three categories (5–7, 8–10, and 11–13 years). Associations between age and chore engagement were analysed using a series of Chi‐square tests for independence, using the Pearson Chi‐square value. Effect sizes were calculated using Cramér's V (φ c ), with 0.1 = a small effect size, 0.3 = a medium effect, and 0.5 = a large effect (Cramér,  1946 ; Pallant,  2013 ). A second frequency analysis was conducted on the COVID‐19 chores engagement question, to explore whether the pandemic had impacted on chore engagement behaviour. For the CHEXI, as normality was violated, a series of Mann–Whitney U tests were conducted to explore WM and inhibition scales across gender. Kruskal–Wallis tests were run to determine the association between the three age categories and WM and inhibition. Effect sizes, where applicable, were calculated using Pearson r correlation coefficients (0.1 = small, 0.3 = medium, 0.5 = large; Cohen,  1988 ).

For the main analyses, the data were then analysed using a series of hierarchical regression tests, using WM and inhibition as the dependent variables. To control for the effect of demographics, the child age, gender, and presence/absence of disability were entered at Step 1. The chore types were analysed in individual hierarchical regression tests, with self‐care chores, family care chores, and pet‐care chores entered at Step 2.

The children were aged between 5 and 13 years ( M  = 9.38, SD  = 2.15), with a relatively even gender distribution (male children n  = 108; 52.2%). One parent did not disclose their child's gender, and four parents did not report their child's age. The parents reported that 23 (11.1%) of the children had a disability, with autism spectrum disorder, attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and dyslexia being the most common diagnoses. A majority of parents reported owning a pet ( n  = 149; 72.0%). Of these, 55 participants (37.9%) owned a single pet, 31 participants (21.4%) owned two pets, and 59 participants (40.7%) owned three or more. Four participants who reported owning a pet did not disclose the number they owned. For species type, dogs were the most commonly owned ( n  = 72; 34.8%), followed by cats ( n  = 48; 23.2), fish ( n  = 5; 2.4%), and birds, rabbits, and rodents ( n  = 2 each; 1.0%).

Half of the parents reported that, since the beginning of the pandemic, their child was completing the same amount of chores ( n  = 103; 50.5%). This was followed by parents reporting their child doing more chores than usual ( n  = 77; 37.7%). Only 24 (11.8%) participants reported that their child was doing fewer chores than usual. Data were missing for three participants. As shown in Table  1 , results of the Chi‐square tests for independence indicated significant associations between gender and chore engagement across five tasks, with small effect sizes. All but one effect size were negative, indicating that the female children engaged in more tasks than the male children. For age and chore engagement, a statistically significant, positive association was found across 28 variables, indicating that older children typically engaged in more chores than younger children. Of these significant variables, six had a medium effect size.

Frequency analysis on CHORES items for the total sample size ( N  = 207) and as reported for the male ( n  = 108) and female ( n  = 98) participants and broken down by age

A Mann–Whitney U test revealed no significant difference in the WM of males ( Md  = 30.50, n  = 108) and females ( Md  = 30.00, n  = 98), U  = 4963, z  = −0.77, P  = 0.44, r  = 0.05, and no significant difference in the inhibition of males ( Md  = 32.00, n  = 108) and females ( Md  = 30.50, n  = 98), U  = 4773, z  = −1.22, P  = 0.22, r  = 0.08. For age, the younger age group (5–7 years) recorded a higher mean rank across the CHEXI, but the Kruskal–Wallis tests revealed no significant difference in WM χ 2 (2, n  = 203) = 0.98, P  = 0.61, or inhibition χ 2 (2, n  = 203) = 2.02, P  = 0.36.

For the main analyses, a series of hierarchical regression tests were performed on the total WM and inhibition scores, using the assistance scores for self‐care chores, family care chores, and pet‐care chores, as shown in Table  2 .

Hierarchical regression analyses summaries for working memory, across self‐care related chores, family‐related chores, and pet‐care related chores

Table  2 presents the results of the hierarchical regressions for WM. When introducing self‐care‐related chores as Step 2, the total variance explained by the model was 19.2%, F (4, 196) = 11.65, P  < 0.001. Self‐care‐related chores explained an additional 4.8% of the variance in WM, R squared change = 0.05, F change (1, 196) = 11.63, P  < 0.001. In the final model, only child disability ( β  = 0.36, P  < 0.001) and self‐care chores ( β  = −0.26, P  < 0.001) were significant.

In a separate analysis, when family‐related chores were introduced at Step 2, the total variance explained by the model was 18.8%, F (4, 196) = 11.33, P  < 0.001. Family‐related chores explained an additional 4.4% of the variance in WM, after controlling for age, disability, and gender, R squared change = 0.04, F change (1, 196) = 10.54, P  < 0.001. Only disability ( β  = 0.34, P  < 0.001) and engagement in family‐related chores ( β  = −0.23, P  < 0.001) were statistically significant in the final model.

A third analysis was conducted on families ( n  = 149) who reported owning a pet. After the entry of pet‐care related chores and the C/DORS scale were entered at Step 2, the total variance of the model was 18.9%, F (5, 137) = 6.39, P  < 0.001. Pet‐care chores and pet interaction contributed a low, non‐significant additional variance, R squared change = 0.01, F change (2, 137) = 0.59, p  = .56. Only disability ( β  = 0.41, p  < .001) was statistically significant in the final model.

The results for inhibition are presented in Table  3 .

Hierarchical regression analyses summaries for inhibition, across self‐care‐related chores, family‐related chores, and pet‐care related chores

As shown in Table  3 ,when entering self‐care related chores in Step 2, the total variance of the model was 10.9%, F (4, 196) = 6.00, P  < .001, with self‐care chores explaining an additional 5.3% of the variance in inhibition, R squared change = 0.05, F change (1, 196) = 11.62, P  < 0.001. In the final model, only disability ( β  = 0.188, P  < 0.05) and self‐care chores ( β  = −0.27, P  < 0.001) were statistically significant.

In a second analysis, when entering family‐related chores in Step 2, the total variance of the model was 13.0%, F (4, 196) = 7.32, P  < 0.001. Family‐related chores explained an additional 7.4% of the variance in inhibition, R squared change = 0.07, F change (1, 196) = 16.62, P  < 0.001. In the final model, only disability ( β  = 0.16, P  < 0.05) and engagement in family‐care chores ( β  = −0.30, P  < 0.001) were statistically significant.

After the entry of pet‐care related chores and pet interaction at Step 2, the total variance of the model was 10.3%, F (5, 137) = 3.16, P  < 0.05. Pet‐care chores and pet interaction contributed a low, non‐significant additional variance, R squared change = 0.07, F change (2, 137) = 1.85, P  = 0.16. In the final model, only disability ( β  = 0.24, P  < 0.05) was statistically significant.

4. DISCUSSION

The aim of the present study was to explore whether child engagement in household chores, including tasks related to self‐care, family‐care, and pet‐care, could predict executive functioning. It was hypothesised that children who engaged in more household chores would have better inhibition and WM, as reported by their parents or guardians. We found evidence to partially support our hypothesis. The results of the regression models indicate that engagement in both self‐care and family‐care chores predict WM and inhibition, after controlling for the influence of age, gender, and presence or absence of disability. There was no evidence of a relationship between engagement in pet‐care chores and executive functioning.

The relationship between self‐care chores and family‐care chores and executive functioning has significant implications, both in the occupational therapy field and for families. Our findings likely reflect that most chores require individuals to self‐regulate, maintain attention, plan, and switch between tasks (Júlio et al.,  2019 ), thereby supporting the development of executive functioning. We also posit that, as there is an association between fine and gross motor skills and executive functioning, the physicality of some chores may also contribute to this relationship (McClelland & Cameron,  2019 ). However, the cross‐sectional design and use of regression analyses in this study mean the directionality of the relationship cannot be determined. It is possible that engagement in household chores can improve executive functioning, but it is also possible that children who display stronger executive function skills are more willing to engage in chores or are expected by their family to do more.

The possibility that engaging in chores can improve executive functioning warrants further research, particularly as few studies exist. Of the available literature, one study found that participation in a computer‐simulated cooking intervention improved executive functioning in older adults (Wang et al.,  2011 ). While the complexity of digital cooking tasks differs from real‐life cooking, this study nonetheless provides preliminary evidence that participating in daily household chores may improve executive functioning (Wang et al.,  2011 ). No comparable research has been conducted for children, but child‐focused cooking and gardening programmes have found improvements in children's self‐confidence, self‐efficacy, and team building skills (Davis & Brann,  2017 ; Utter et al.,  2017 ), suggesting such programmes have transferrable benefits that may expand to executive functioning. Such programmes may be incorporated into wider educational environments; while not all schools will have the resources to do so, in countries such as Australia and England, the school curriculum includes mandatory food and wellbeing education (Australian Curriculum,  n.d .; Department for Education,  2015 ), with spaces often dedicated to teaching food preparation (Ronto et al.,  2016 ).

School‐based programmes, such as cooking, may be more accessible to families who cannot participate in other, established executive function interventions, which often have cost‐ or accessibility‐associated barriers (Diamond & Lee,  2011 ). Additionally, the use of occupation‐centred executive function interventions is still developing, and to date, the efficacy of such programmes is still uncertain (Josman & Meyer,  2019 ). The family‐centred Cognitive Functional intervention, which teaches goal setting through the incorporation of games, has been limited by small sample sizes (Hahn‐Markowitz et al.,  2011 ; Maeir et al.,  2014 ) and a decline in improvement at follow‐up (Hahn‐Markowitz et al.,  2011 ). This highlights the need for further research exploring the use of executive functioning interventions, including the long‐term outcomes and overall generalisability, as well as highlighting the scarcity of interventions available to occupational therapists.

As parents play a significant role in developing their child's general work ethic, the household is a key place where chore‐related behaviour can be developed (ter Bogt et al.,  2005 ). While some children may struggle to engage in chores independently (Spaulding et al.,  2021 ), overall, encouraging children to participate in age‐ or ability‐appropriate chores is likely implementable in most households. Indeed, research suggests that young children often willing engage in altruistic helping behaviours (e.g., put clothes in the laundry; throw away rubbish; Hammond et al.,  2017 ), with a review suggesting that such chore engagement increases throughout childhood (dEntremont et al.,  2017 ). This home environment is also suitable for occupation‐based interventions, with occupational therapists able to work directly with the child (Laverdure et al.,  2021 ). In this same context, therapists may provide parental coaching for families that require support in developing their child's chore engagement (Laverdure et al.,  2021 ).

There was no relationship between executive functioning and pet‐care chores, which was unexpected because interaction with animals may improve executive functioning (Diamond & Ling,  2016 ). This theory is based on research suggesting that animals act as a social support and can improve mood, which is associated with optimal cognitive functioning (Diamond,  2012 ; Diamond & Ling,  2016 ). In the present study, most families reported that their child played with the pet and provided food and water. As such, the non‐significant results probably do not reflect a low level of engagement. It is, however, possible that tasks such as pouring kibble or water into a bowl are not complex or challenging enough to aid in the development of executive functioning, compared with chores like cooking which require multiple steps (Diamond & Lee,  2011 ).

This study had several limitations, which are mainly attributable to the measures used. For example, the CHEXI scale (Thorell & Nyberg,  2008 ) has demonstrated low criterion validity when compared with performance‐based measures of executive functioning. However, this is not unexpected, as past studies have found low correlations between performance‐based and report measures of executive functioning, with these measures appearing to test different underlying executive functioning constructs (Toplak et al.,  2013 ). For the CHORES scale (Dunn,  2004 ), a significant limitation is that this questionnaire does not report on the frequency of behaviour but only the level of assistance required. As such, while most families reported that their child engages in chores such as putting their own laundry in the hamper, it is unknown whether this is a regular occurrence. This lack of frequency data has implications is particularly relevant for the tasks related to pets, as research has indicated that parents often prevent children from taking an active role in pet‐care (Muldoon et al.,  2015 ).

While age, gender, and the presence or absence of a disability were controlled for in our study, future research should control for additional socio‐demographic confounders. This includes the exploration of child ethnicity, the overall family structure (such as birth order or number of children in the family), socio‐economic status, employment history, and educational background (Yu et al.,  2020 ). These factors are related to both executive functioning and parental expectations surrounding chore engagement (Coppens et al.,  2016 ; Sani,  2016 ; Thorell et al.,  2013 ). In controlling for these variables, as well as exploring the frequency of chore‐related behaviour, future research will be able to provide a more accurate understanding of children's engagement in chores and how this engagement relates to executive functioning.

This study was conducted during the COVID‐19 pandemic. While some individuals have seen an increase in working hours, other individuals have had reduced hours, lost their employment, or transitioned to working from home (Bick et al.,  2020 ; Chatterjee et al.,  2020 ). Schools have also been impacted by COVID‐19, with many jurisdictions moving to remote learning (Van Lancker & Parolin,  2020 ; Viner et al.,  2020 ). As such, it was possible that children have been expected to engage in different levels of household chores since the beginning of the pandemic; individuals who were terminated from their employment may have taken on‐board extra responsibility at home, thus reducing the number of chores they expected their child to complete. Alternatively, individuals with increased work hours, such as health‐care workers, may have expected their child to complete more chores, particularly if their child was spending more time at home. Surprisingly, most families reported that their child completed the same amount of chores as usual. This may reflect that most participants resided in Australia, with most areas of the country reporting zero cases of community transmission during the data collection period (Attwell et al.,  2021 ).

4.1. Conclusion

Executive functions are cognitive processes critical to planning, multitasking, and initiating goal‐directed behaviours (Diamond,  2012 ). This study found a relationship between children's engagement in self‐care and family‐care chores and their WM and inhibitory skills. This relationship may have significant implications, as it is possible that targeted interventions, such as cooking programmes, could be utilised to improve these skills. In the household, parents may also be able to facilitate their child's executive functioning development by encouraging engagement in chores. It is recommended that future research focuses on establishing the directionality of this relationship.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

All authors certify that they provided a substantial contribution to the concept and design of the study. DT conducted the analyses and wrote the manuscript with support and revision from TH and PB. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank the study participants for sharing their insight on their child's chore related behaviour. We would also like to acknowledge the support of the Mums Who Study community for their aid in recruitment and for their participation in the study. Open access publishing facilitated by La Trobe University, as part of the Wiley ‐ La Trobe University agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians.

Tepper, D. L. , Howell, T. J. , & Bennett, P. C. (2022). Executive functions and household chores: Does engagement in chores predict children's cognition? Australian Occupational Therapy Journal , 69 ( 5 ), 585–598. 10.1111/1440-1630.12822 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not‐for‐profit sectors.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

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benefits of doing house chores

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health benefits of household chores

Surprising Health Benefits of 8 Household Chores

Household chores are often a dreaded task, but recent research has revealed that they may be an important part of staying healthy.

In fact, spending 30 minutes a day doing chores that get you active could cut your risk of dying from any cause by 28%. Even chores that aren’t as physically demanding have other benefits for your mind and body.

Here’s a look at why you might want to volunteer for more housework instead of avoiding it and which chores have the biggest impact on your health.

Household Chores Can Help You Live Longer

One of the biggest reasons doing everyday chores can boost your health is because they get you up and moving.

You may have recently heard this phrase: “Sitting is the new smoking.”

This idea comes from research on the detrimental effects a sedentary lifestyle — mainly too much sitting — can have on your health.

Researchers still aren’t sure why, but this habit of prolonged sitting increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other diseases. It can also increase pain in your body because muscles and joints stiffen with inactivity.

There are many reasons why people are sitting for much longer periods than they used to, but changes in job type are a big factor.

Work used to center more around physical labor, and workers were kept on their feet for much of the day. Now, many more people are sitting in front of computers to do their work and often go home to sit down and stare at another screen.

Where Chores Come In

benefits of doing house chores

A large international study from 2017 has shed some light on how activities like performing simple household chores can reverse some of the negative effects of sedentary living.

It involved over 130,000 people from 17 different countries. The idea of the study was to build off of previous research that documented how leisure-time physical activity was able cut the risk of heart disease and death.

The previous results were from high-income countries where many people are able to participate in leisure-time activity. However, this largely didn’t apply to middle- and low-income countries where people are much less likely to be involved in leisure activities.

With this in mind, researchers decided to take into account any type of physical activity: exercising at a gym, having a physically demanding job, doing chores around the house, etc.

The results were clear. Doing any type of activity for 30 minutes each day was enough to reduce the risk of heart disease by 20% and the risk of death from any cause by 28%. It didn’t matter whether the activity was an intense workout at the gym or vacuuming the floor.

Given the fact that 1 in 4 people worldwide (and nearly 3 in 4 in countries like Canada) don’t get enough activity each day, setting aside 30 minutes to complete housework that needs done anyway could be your ticket to a longer life.

Health Benefits of Specific Household Chores

Obviously, any chore that gets you physically active is good for your health and longevity. However, research has pinpointed some specific chores that may be especially good for you.

Here’s a look at what they are and what benefit you can expect.

#1- Make Your Bed to Increase Productivity

benefits of doing house chores

Making the bed may seem like a small task, but it can set you up to have a more productive day.

This seemingly insignificant habit has been made much of by bestselling authors like Charles Duhigg and William H. McCraven. Both place emphasis on how this morning chore sets you up to accomplish more throughout the day.

The idea is that the small sense of accomplishment you get from tidying your bed sends a feel-good signal to your brain that encourages more productivity.

A poll conducted by Best Mattress Brand reveals more details about bed-making and a better day. Of the 1000 people surveyed, 82% of bed-makers said completing this small task made them more productive throughout the day. They were also 25% more likely to feel accomplished at the end of the day than non-bed makers.

Interestingly, bed-makers were more likely to be very productive at work as well.

If that doesn’t have you convinced, a poll from the National Sleep Foundation found that making the bed meant a 19% better chance of sleeping well at night. Not bad for a simple, quick chore!

#2- Tidy the Kitchen for Better Weight Loss

Clutter, especially in the kitchen, appears to be connected to a greater risk of being overweight. If you’ve ever struggled with your weight, putting a clean kitchen at the top of your list of household chores could make a bigger difference than you think.

Research for this connection is cited in a book by Peter Walsh: Lose Clutter, Lose Weight .

Part of the premise for his book is a study showing that people living in extreme clutter are 77% more likely to be overweight. The exact reason for this is still to be determined, but there are two likely theories.

The first is that living in a cluttered environment induces stress, which in turn can trigger stress-induced eating. A study from 2010 indicated that women who perceived their homes as being cluttered had increased levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) throughout the day.

Another possible factor is that an untidy kitchen can make it more difficult to plan healthy meals that support weight loss. Organization makes good eating habits and losing weight easier to achieve.

#3- Mindfully Wash Dishes to Lower Anxiety

benefits of doing house chores

Dishwashers save you time, effort, and perhaps a dislike of washing dishes by hand. However, you may be missing out on some stress relief by allowing a machine to do this chore for you.

A study from Florida State University found that washing dishes can calm your mind and relieve stressful feelings.

There’s just one catch- you have to wash your dishes mindfully . This means focusing on what you’re doing- the smell of the dish soap, the warmth of the water, etc.- instead of just rushing to get the task done.

Participants in the study who practiced this type of mindfulness not only experienced decreased nervousness, they also had increased mental inspiration after completing the task.

So even if washing dishes isn’t one of your favorite households chores, focusing on what you’re doing as you wash them can actually be a stress-reliever at the end of a long day.

#4- Tend a Garden to Reduce Depression and Relieve Stress

There’s a lot of research showing that gardening has many positive effects . For many people, it’s an enjoyable hobby rather than a chore. But even if you don’t find tending a garden all that fun, it can still be good for your health.

In studies, one of the biggest therapeutic benefits of gardening is a reduction in symptoms of depression.

A 12-week study from Norway explored whether 6 hours of gardening each week could help participants with different forms of depression. The results were very positive. Depression severity declined significantly and overall symptoms improved. This improvement even lasted for months after the study ended!

Of course, you don’t have to suffer from depression to get healthier by gardening.

Other research shows that working in a garden has benefits for overall health and specifically for relieving stress and anxiety. The physical work is good for your heart and for weight loss, and the soothing effects of nature are great for mental health.

The bottom line?

Even if you only plant a few vegetables or flowers, get your hands in the dirt to boost your health!

#5- Clean Up Your Yard (and House) for Better Heart Health

benefits of doing house chores

Yard work is one of those household chores that can boost your heart health and longevity by getting you moving. Even doing vigorous indoor cleaning can benefit cardiovascular health.

An in-depth study from Sweden supplies the evidence to back this up.

The study was conducted over a 12 1/2 year period and focused on seniors who were 60 years old and up. It found that routine activities like yard work, housecleaning, and DIY projects were equal to exercise for promoting heart health.

Those who regularly took part in these chores and activities (which included blackberry picking) cut their risk of having a heart attack or stroke by 30%!

And if lawn mowing is your top outdoor chore, there’s indication that freshly mown grass releases chemicals that act as stress relievers. That could be the reason why many people love the scent of a just-mowed lawn.

#6- Vacuum for a Free Cardio Workout

Not only can a good vacuum keep your home free of dust and allergens, doing a whole-house vacuuming job is an effective workout for your body.

Vacuuming works a lot of muscles in your body. You especially use your legs, arms, and core to push and pull the vacuum across the floor. Cleaning for a period of 20-30 minutes also gets your heart rate up and is a good cardio workout.

Getting your heart pumping and blood flowing doing a simple chore like vacuuming can have major benefits.

Studies show that aerobic exercise is good for heart health, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, weight loss, better sleep, and even immune health .

This means you can get clean floors, a healthier environment, and the benefits of exercise all from one task!

#7- Clean with Natural Citrus for a Mood Boost

benefits of doing house chores

Cleaning and dusting aren’t fun household chores for most people, but you can make them better by using a citrus-scented cleanser.

The smell of citrus can be a powerful mood-lifter and may also lower anxiety . As the popularity of aromatherapy has increased, so has the research on which scents affect mood the most. So far, citrus is showing itself to be one of the best anti-stress fragrances.

In one study , lemon oil was found to be better at relieving stress than either lavender or rose oil. It demonstrated potential anti-anxiety, antidepressant, and anti-stress properties.

Orange, bergamot , and the Japanese citrus fruit yuzu have also all demonstrated similar mood-boosting and stress-lowering abilities. In one fascinating study , researchers found that the scent of lemon can even make people feel better about their body image.

Of course, you’ll want to opt for a natural citrus cleaner to avoid spraying harmful chemicals in your home. Then, try to relax as you clean and let yourself be uplifted by the fragrance!

#8- Cook from Scratch for Better Health (And Less Stress)

For some, cooking is very enjoyable, although for others it’s just a daily chore. But even if you fall into the second category, cooking regularly can have some serious benefits for your health.

The most obvious benefit is that the more you cook from scratch, the less processed food you’ll end up eating. Processed food is often short on nutrients and can hide several questionable ingredients. The same goes for most fast food options.

Another less obvious benefit is that cooking can lower stress levels.

Research has shown that any type of creativity lowers stress and benefits overall health. This certainly includes making food. Planning a recipe, chopping produce, adding seasoning, making adjustments- these are all part of the creative process of cooking.

So go ahead and try some new recipes, and enjoy the creativity of cooking while you’re at it!

Share Household Chores for Even More Benefits

benefits of sharing household chores

Most of us regard chores as annoying tasks to get done, but the evidence shows they are actually good for us. There’s also good indication that you can get more benefits by sharing the load.

For example, a few studies have shown that dividing housework evenly between spouses or partners leads to a better sex life. A perceived equity of housework can also improve marital happiness .

If you have children, research shows that giving them regular chores has several benefits.

It may be a difficult task to get them to happily complete their chores but, nevertheless, doing housework and other tasks can give them higher self-esteem, make them more responsible, and enable them to better deal with frustration and delayed gratification. All of this usually translates to better success in school as well.

It’s fair to say that household chores shouldn’t be looked down on anymore. In fact, it might be time to embrace your to-do list to better your health, and get your family involved as well!

79 thoughts on “Surprising Health Benefits of 8 Household Chores”

Informative information.

I feel less stressful and better when I take care of my house and my backyard. I like putting more flowers and showerIng my plants. It is helping a lot in this difficult time to have and enjoy a clean, appealing environment and find a fresh bed to relax after a long day. It is a spiritual goodness to creating your heavenly journey by eliminating all the negative junk. Have a good day.

You said it, Ginette!! Your words, plus reading this good article, are motivating me to spend more time & effort cleaning my house and tending my many house plants, as well as my flower, herb and vegetable garden!! Thank you for the inspiration.

Great article. I find that when things become cluttered in my home, I get anxious and don’t feel well…but when I tidy up and have everything organized it transfers into me feeling good.

Deepak Chopra mentioned much of this in his 1993 book ” Ageless Body, Timeless Mind”. I always hoped we could put housework into a better category of work and thanks to you we have. Gyms have their place for sports athletes but I`d rather see that energy put into more productive aspects of life in the home and community.

Nanette, YES. I am super healthy at 81. I do not DRIVE to a gym and pay to work out. I do all my own housekeeping and most repairs. I take care of my yard and garden (except mowing the lawn). Hanging my laundry on the outdoors clothesline is a great stretching exercise and saves me money. My sheets look and feel as though they have been ironed.

Agreed. At 75, I’m a heckuva lot healthier than friends and neighbors who have housekeepers and gardeners. Not sure about folks who regularly go to the gym, but that’s not me: I prefer a brisk 2.5-mile walk around the neighborhood for the sunshine and to see what other gardeners are doing with their landscaping. I believe hauling big bags of mulch and soil give me both physical exercise and stress relief as I help my gardens grow.

I have been doing this for years and that is why I cannot live on a full time basis, with anyone!

Thank you! I do my own household chores… that fellow Jung always said it was good for is. Now you have confirmed it!!

Nothing really new (at least for me) but this was very well written and nicely presented. I’d like to go into greater detail but I haven’t made my bed yet – and last night’s dishes are still awaiting my attention! OK, here’s a clever thought: “It’s not what I KNOW that improves my life, it’s what I DO with this knowledge!” Thank you for this excellent reminder!

Information only becomes knowledge after your use it.

good living follows good living

Just like housework, this article was more interesting than I anticipated and I’ll use the suggestion of lemon oil more frequently. The mindfulness and relaxation are really good suggestions, and I sure wouldn’t have connected making my bed with that much benefit.

Spot on with your partner equally sharing with household duties. It does improve marital happiness and also appreciation

I may be unique, but I find doing chores together highly stimulating….I’m guessing I feel more bonded and that creates physical desire? No idea.

Good article. Lots of great information.

I did like your article on Household Chores…….makes me feel better about accomplishing these tasks I do put off sometimes and knowing that my outside chores are beneficial too!!

Excellent article. I had expected as much but it’s great to have the supporting research. Thanks!

This was great I loved it. Thank you so much! In my opinion Home Making is a Noble Profession.

Home Making is a Noble Profession. I couldn’t agree more!

Thank You for this wonderful information. I truly believe that household chores do indeed help our health. I enjoy doing my household chores each and everyday. They truly motivate my mind, and my emotional state as well. To your health as well.

Thank you for this. We’re just a couple weeks into spring, and this is excellent motivation – it makes me feel much better about doing the things that are good for my home and good for me.

Thank you for this newsletter. My cat just passed from pancreatic cancer suddenly after a week of being sick. I’m washing dishes and doing the chores to help me to pass this time while I try to recover into normal life

wishing u many good blessings to heal from your loss. i know it can be hard to find your wholeness after losing a loved one. may God bless you, fusako.

Hugs and prayers for God’s comfort to you in the passing of your cat. Yes I’m reading this (great article) three months later, but i know that with my grief for my beloved cat having passed a year ago, any good supportive ideas like the ones here, can continue to help. God bless you❤️

God bless you Jude ❣️ ❣️ ❣️ Displays of compassion always touch me in this world of growing animosity & negative aggressiveness. Our Lord expects His people to respect each other, 🙏 for those around us AND those in foreign lands. For those who know their Almighty God, they know Prayer is Powerful. I can personally attest to prayer as very powerful in my own life🙌

Wow. Thanks for letting me off the hook for NOT using my dishwasher and hand washing my dishes instead.

😊 I agree! (The dishwasher vs hand-washing dishes has been a slightly-contentious topic in our household. 😉

I work at home and sit at a computer, but I make a point to get up and move at least every hour. Cleaning up something is my go-to for moving more. Great ideas in the article!

Enjoyed this encouraging article

People often ask me..how do I stay in shape..my answer is always the same..I wash my windows and vacuum alit!!

I shall set to with house hold chores, with great enthusiasm in future, can’t wait to get started

Thank you for the info. I will try to do more housecleaning & less jigsaw puzzles. I do get a walk or two each day for 1/2 hr or more in nature. The puzzles are good for my brain but the body needs stimulation too. Thanks again💗.

Thank you, Brian, for a well-written article. It is good to know that many of the things I do are of proven benefit. As always, your writing style adds a nice element to the info you present!!

Excellent and well-rounded article!! I appreciated your inclusion of gardening and cooking, as they can be creative as well as healthful activities! Being an older adult with ADHD, I often have a tough time with motivation, both to get started on cleaning, doing laundry & dishes, and then sometimes to stop in time to get supper on the table before midnight!! I do enjoy birding, nature hikes, yoga and many types of social dancing, such as Int’l. Folk and Scottish Country, as well as Singing (chorale, choir, & sea chanteys!), so I am not inclined to be totally sedentary, but do find it hard to stop reading (books, newspaper articles, & online emails such as this one!) and shift gears!! Thank you for all that you do.

FANTASTIC…….I WILL BE EIGHTY-SEVEN ON THE SEVENTH OF APRIL, AND I WILL GIVE SOME SERIOUS THOUGHT TO THIS ARTICLE. GREAT

Happy Birthday!

i can say ditto to all your points tina and i’m also elder. don’t kno if i have adhd–maybe some form of it. i’ve done the same dancing and singing too! many blessings! esp on your housework motivation!

happy birthday, albertha!

I hope that you had a very happy birthday yesterday! 💛

Thank you for this article. I am 81 and have several physical injuries so I have to sit a lot. I was happy to read that the things I am already doing are so helpful to my health. I always make my bed, prepare my own meals, look after my pot plants, do my own washing and dishes and prepare all my own food so I can now enjoy sitting with a clear conscience. As I live in a rural area I also try to have a short walk each day. I will now do my chores with more satisfaction.

Lemon juice is the most powerful antiseptic known to man. We use it to keep our bread board clean and to keep germs out of our throats. My wife makes the bed early every day .We have been together for 34 years for most of those years I made breakfast while she made the bed. We avoided discussions of who was going to do which and that was one of the keys to our marriage’s longevity.

Swapping those chores with each other could make an interesting twist in your lifelong marriage! A nice change up for you both, just sayin’.

Thank you for this interesting article; not all of the information is new to me, but it is always good to be reminded. I motivate myself each day by writing in my diary the schedule for the day, starting with exercise, then prayers, breakfast and mental exercises (sudoku or find the word puzzles), then proceed to my jobs list, starting with making my bed. I find satisfaction in ticking off my completed jobs, though sometimes I set myself too many, as I allow myself reading time while I eat lunch and I become engrossed in whatever I am reading. Whatever is not completed is included in the schedule for the next day.

I always feel very satisfied after I have cleaned and straightened up the house. It is nice to know that it is not only mentally good for you, but physically as well.

Thank you for this article.

There is a lot to this article, and it validates so much for me. I also find it striking further inspiration! Thank you for this (and I rarely comment on articles!!!).

Much Gratitude for all the comments above and this superbly written article! I tend to be perfectionist and must let go of some things… this being said, I do feel the physical, emotional and even the spiritual gains from cleaning the clutter and loving the space I am called to tend. I am a gym gal and I now really like the idea of getting benefits from simply tending my space at home (since going to the gym has not been an option for a long while due to Covid). Thank you for the inspiration!

This is me, pretty much of the time. Since I’m retired and have a lot of time, I like to cook from- scratch with fresh vegetables etc., house chores, and I just love to play with my fruit trees and other gardening chores in the great outdoor. ( Great article Brien. Thank you)

Awesome article…Thank you so much for this insight!

i appreciate this well-thot out info re: common life we nearly all have a part of. somehow, this article and all the comments added to my sense that we are all one. the unity of all beings–even the plants and critters who we love. thanks, brian. u are a dear heart.

Thank you, Brian. This was a great article! x

Very good article. I do all those things and feel great!!

I just wanted to say thank you! I’m doing all of these suggestions just about every day and I’m overjoyed to know that they are not only keeping me sane but healthy as well 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💙

Makes perfect sense and I do at least half of these 🙂 will try to incorporate more now!!

Great inspiration! Interesting that such a simple thing as making the bed in the morning can be a positve start for day and also feels good when go to bed at night. Always make mine when get up will now be more mineful. Thank for so many of the other useful tips and insights.

Excellent article, thank you for sharing. I enjoyed reading it. Now if I can just get myself into the practice of doing these.

The blanket on my bed replicates Life. Four words describe tabby weave; up, down, under, over. We encounter them in our daily lives. The blanket’s purpose is to give comfort and warmth. it never shirks its duty, teaching good work ethics. It can only perform belonging to someone, Value FAMILY. Home is where the pots and the pans are. It helped our family to settle in a new country. The aroma of food cooking draws everyone to the kitchen where family bonds are strengthened and support is given where needed. The garden is God’s cathedral, giving spiritual guidance if we open our eyes to it. In nature answers to most problems can be found. Thank you, Brian, for confirming all of this.

Nesting – home-cleaning is good for the soul. Actually, Un-make your beds each morning. This AIRS the mattress, so it cools the bedding and thus reduces dust-mites breeding time. Just neatly fold all covers to foot of bed.

Then re-make each bed at the start of night-routine. Double the benefit.

I enjoyed this article but thought also about the benefits of airing the bed before making it. At least 10 minutes with the window open and the bedding turned down to the bottom of the bed is a good practice. Then make the bed to get that neat feeling.

My Grandma insisted on airing the bed and pillows every day! She said it was to mitigate TB – practices of old for health but still useful!

I agree about airing out the bed. I always wait until just before I leave for work to give my bed a good hour or so to air out. I would never leave it unmade all day, tho for fear of spiders in the sheets!!

Don’t normally comment but I quite enjoyed reading this and agree with it all. Reminds me to be more mindful when doing these chores and motivates me to focus more on managing clutter. Thank you for the well written article!

Thank you. Very useful information

Thanks for a great article! I’ve been preaching the benefits of housework all my life. I hate gyms – they are a fading fad. It’s close to impossible to do boring exercises. I’ ve been doing speed ice skating for the past 24 years – I believe speed builds muscles even better than the gym and I get a high, that lasts till my next workout. During non skating days I do housecleaning and I am a maniac. I wash my big windows as well every 60 days with the blinds. I wash and detail my car at least once a month. Nothing beats the high and the confidence I get from this chore – driving a sparkling car and living in a spotless apartment are immediate rewards, that you can never get from a gym. As a matter of fact, our ancestors never went to a gym, but they were active every single day.

I loved the article. I don’t call them household chores. I call them household gifts where I get to love my stuff.

Hello from Finland, cold frost! Great article, thanks, because it gave appreciation for the homework when I go health first, so proactively. I have cleaned my home almost all the weekends and do the dishes every day of my life, I am now 78 years old. Also let down every day, it has felt the right thing to do. I put food in the family every day. But then I have experienced fatigue, and there has been a need to change routines and now I am disabled at the moment, all I do is take care of myself, the man is now on a housework, cooking food and bringing it to me. I exercise with a rollator and try to rehabilitate myself on a treadmill, for example. We have a lot of stairs at home, and they became my destiny, for in them I have injured myself fatally.

I love this article. I feel happier just reading it and inspired to get healthier cleaning my house and yard!

Great article! It took me a while to finish reading it because I would jump up and do a bit a housework. LOL. It is warm today here in East Central Oklahoma. I was able to hang my laundry out on the clothes line. Also I had to go to town to buy horse feed. I buy ten 50 pound bags at a time. When I get home I have to move the 500 pounds out of my truck and into the feed bin. I am 60 and a widow, so it is all on me. And I am thankful I can do it! I can hardly wait until the online conference.

Loved reading your article…..wish I could still do house chores. Gardening, etc. I am 82 now with a neurodegenerative disorder With. No cure or treatment. I can relate to the joy of gardening, satisfaction of a clean house, making my bed each morning, however I can no longer do those things because of balance (falling) problem. But I have had a good life and am now ready to go to my real “home” . Which I will enjoy keeping clean too.😇🥰. Love to all..

I guess this could explain why people that suffer from chronic pain have more anxiety and depression, because they may tend to do less than what they used to..(?)

Thank you for sharing your healthful article on ways to increase production, lesson anxiety, depression, elevate mood, & boost heart health. It’s really a “fun” article because it causes on to chuckle when they get to work for benefits.

~what can ~I say an absolutely brilliant article. ~~I am going to inform all my clents who suffer from depression, anxiey etc. ~~It gave me such a boost reading it.!

Thank you for this article 🙂 I smiled the whole way through. I do most of these chores already, and really enjoy the feeling of living in a clean, tidy space, but I always say how much I dislike housework. Your article made me realize that I really don’t! I sometimes feel a bit lazy, but that doesn’t translate into a messy space. I make a plan 🙂

I am almost 80 yrs old and still doing all my own chores, since having a family of 5 and no dishwasher….Only in the last year with renovations to the kitchen, we now have one for the two of us remaining…I now see what I was missing time wise !! though, when young I considered washing the dishes by hand, therapeutic..!! When our kids were in school, I cleaned other homes, giving up my office job, so that I can be home with my children, my first duty….so always felt I was being paid to keep fit…!!! I am reaping the benefits….Thanks be to God and thank you for your timely article….

Where are (any) commenting men?! I see almost none.

If my observation is correct, there is some inference to be drawn.

Yes, doing chores builds both character and health.

Really interesting to read this information – thanks. It inspires me to start timing all my housework jobs and make a weekly timetable. I am trying to make time for writing. I find a bullet journal useful. I do all the jobs you cite – and am also in the process of a massive de-cluttering of my life (now 71) as I intend moving to a smaller house. Hoovering floors is top of my list for immediate effect – and clearing worktops + kitchen & bathroom. Washing up and ironing are soothing. I love designing gardens – and cutting the grass circle and grass paths is an enjoyable way to restore order in the same way as hoovering. Now there is harvesting – making jam and chutney from the fruit garden + harvesting hazel nuts…. now off to bring in the washing and water plants. How I long for rain.

There are not many comments that having a strong spousal companionship leads to a sharing of chores, but also bonds the sexual relationship, which leads to a mental relaxation. AND, there are definitely good physical actions as well. And a neatly made bed enhances the pleasures.

When my husband was not at work, we usually did chores together. Always took a little longer because we couldn’t pass each other in the kitchen, hallway or wherever without playing around a bit. (Our favorite game was pocket pool!). He has gone on to be with Jesus and I know they are having chuckles about our shenanigans, and what delicious memories I am blessed with!

With a family of 12, all of the suggestions are a must. Have a great day.

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You Must Get Healthy

Home » 7 Health Benefits of Doing Household Chores

7 Health Benefits of Doing Household Chores

Health Benefits Of Doing Household Chores

Not everyone relishes the thought to doing chores, while some people find certain household chores too difficult or tiring. Nonetheless, doing household chores are important to maintain a clean and hygienic home. However, there are many other ways you can benefit when you do your chores. This article will discuss the health benefits of doing household chores.

House chores like washing the dishes, vacuuming the floor, cooking, or doing laundry are good to many aspects of your health. Even though they help burn calories, they offer different other health benefits.

7 Health Benefits Of Doing Household Chores

Health Benefits Of Doing Household Chores

Below are the significant household chores and the health benefits you can derive from doing them.

1. Washing Dishes

Studies have proved that those who wash dishes regularly have a 30% reduction in nervousness, which translates to better mental health .  

Washing dishes involves you concentrating on the plates and removing the stains. In this way, your mind is focused, which helps you to be calm and relaxed as you concentrate on the dishes, the temperature of the water, and the smell of the dish soap.

However, it is one of the most avoided house chores, especially among teens.

2. Vacuuming

Vacuuming is considered an exercise, and you tend to get a good result when you vacuum the house all at once instead of taking breaks in between.

Vacuuming simply illustrates the idea of using a stone to kill two birds. Here, you get to remove the dirt in the house while toning your legs and arms and burning calories.

3. Cleaning the Bathroom

Cleaning the bathroom requires strength and energy as it requires washing, scrubbing the floor, and wiping. In addition that it helps you to burn calories, and it also helps to strengthen your immune system because you are getting rid of germs, bacteria, or mold that could have infected you. Cleaning the toilet can also keep your home healthy and hygienic.

4. Making the Bed

Research has shown that those who make their beds every morning before stepping out of the house tend to have a higher productivity level  than those who don’t make the bed is one step of building motivation for the day.

Making the bed can also stimulate you to clean up your room, hence, your room will look and smell better . With this in mind, you can keep your bedding and laundry smelling fresh and at their best with home cleaning products from The Laundress .

Cooking goes beyond just preparing food for yourself or your family; it has many health benefits.

Many people have used cooking as a therapy to de-stress and unwind after  work . Also, cooking helps to kill boredom and reduces the rate of anxiety and insomnia. Also, when you cook, and it comes out well, you tend to be happier, which is essential to total well-being.

6. Cleaning the Kitchen

Studies have proved that those whose kitchen is dirty and clustered have a high tendency to eat unhealthily. Cleaning up the kitchen helps you to de-stress and gives you inner happiness.

Also, you tend to eat in a healthier and safer environment. Also, pets or germs don’t get to contaminate your raw or cooked food in the kitchen.

7. Gardening

Studies have shown that those who engage in gardening often have a reduced risk of depression. Plus, they are happier and eat healthier. There are so many other physical and mental benefits of gardening .

Other Health Benefits of Doing Household Chores

Other health benefits of doing house chores are:

  • Household chores aid in keeping and making the house clean and germs-free, making the house safer and creating a better atmosphere for rest and sleep. Your health improves better when you sleep and rest well.
  • Cleaning or decluttering your wardrobe or closet is one of the best ways to keep your house smelling good .
  • Household activities such as disinfecting the surfaces at home help to keep the surface from bacteria and viral or fungal infections that might cause contamination.
  • Doing high-intensity house chores like vacuuming, scrubbing, sweeping, or mopping helps to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
  • House chores such as carpet cleaning and dusting the house help prevent dust accumulation, reducing the risk of asthma attacks for asthmatic patients and dust allergies.

Even though household chores can seem challenging or stressful, keep in mind that you are helping your overall health and wellbeing when you do them.

Families that do house chores together tend to have stronger bonds and love. The health benefits of doing household chores are all-encompassing, touching all aspects of your health. 

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Collins Nwokolo

Collins Nwokolo is a passionate blogger and an amazing writer. He is a health and fitness enthusiast who loves sharing helpful information to people.

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Household Chores May Be Secret to Living Longer

Study finds they’re just as effective as going to the gym.

Household chores

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.

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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.

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The Benefits of Doing Household Chores: Growing Character in Your Kids

Parenting · Parenting Inspiration

A Pinterest pin with a picture of cleaning supplies. Designed for this post on the benefits of doing household chores for kids.

It’s their least favorite part of the week.

We call it “cleaning day” at our house. And it always gets big eye rolls from my kids every time it’s mentioned.

But, that’s okay.

Because I know something they don’t.

I can see what’s going on behind the scenes. I understand the benefits of doing household chores go far beyond checking tasks off a list.

The many life lessons, growth in character, and simple habit training that happens every time they complete their weekly chores is worth the effort it takes to get them accomplished.

A picture of cleaning supplies for this post about the benefits of doing household chores for kids.

Coming up with a plan…

I put quite a bit of thought into how our family wanted to go about chores and allowance before our kids were even out of diapers.

I asked friends, searched online, and reflected on my own childhood. And finally, my husband and I came up with a plan we believed would be successful.

We decided our girls would have age-appropriate chores they would be required to complete each day and week.

We explained it to them this way-each member of our family had a responsibility to help the house run efficiently. Those responsibilities all looked different, but everybody was required to pitch in.

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Putting that plan into action…

The chores have varied over the years, depending mostly on age. We started with very simple chores early on. And upped the difficulty level as they got older.

Currently, the daily responsibilities of our kids include cleaning their rooms, making their beds, laying our their clothes for the next day, packing snacks and backpacks for school, depositing dirty clothes in the laundry bin, clearing their own dishes off the table after every meal, wiping off the table after meals, and sweeping the kitchen floor each evening.

Each week, they’re expected to put away all their clean clothes, help keep the main areas of the house tidy, and remove sheets from their beds for washing.

These are all chores we expect them to do without getting paid.

However, we also wanted to teach our kids from an early age how to manage money well. And we felt it was important for them to “earn” money rather than just have it given to them.

So, they also have weekly responsibilities that we pay them for. We call them “jobs.” Every week, they are each assigned one job to complete. Right now, those tasks include vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing sinks, emptying trashcans, sweeping off the deck or front porch, or cleaning the shower.

Money management lessons…

When we first implemented this chore/job system, we also taught them what to do with their new-found income. Each child gets paid fifty cents for each completed job.

And each girl has three jars sitting on her dresser. Those jars are labeled tithe, save, and spend. After every “payday,” one nickel goes in the tithe jar and one in the save jar. The rest they get to put in their spend container.

On Sundays, they take the money from their tithe jar to church. Every so often, we take the save jar to the bank and deposit the change into their savings account. And they can use the money from the spend jar anytime they like!

This helps us teach our kids about money management, while also helping them build a strong work ethic. It’s easy to see how the benefits of doing household chores can encompass a whole lot more than might be assumed.

But here’s what I never considered way back when they were in diapers…The jars are cute and the system is fairly easy to manage. But the “building a strong work ethic” part…that’s no easy task!

Want to learn more about growing character in your kids? Check out “The Value of Building Perseverance for Kids .”

A perfect opportunity…

Young kids naturally love to help. And my own children were no exception to that rule.

The idea of acting “big” and helping around the house is a fun and engaging idea. Plus, the earlier you can instill those kinds of good habits, the better.

Because as anyone with older kids knows…the novelty wears off.

The chores become less enjoyable and the complaining begins. And while that can make you want to throw in the towel and quit…don’t. Because the really valuable lessons lie just ahead.

But first things first…how do you actually implement chores?

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It’s all in the training…

The first challenge in making chores a regular part of your family routine is the time it takes to train kids on how to do those chores well.

You can’t just expect to give directions once or twice, point them in the direction of the broom, and expect all to be well!

As with most things in parenting, teaching kids about chores takes a whole lot of time and patience.

One of the first chores my kids had was unloading the dishwasher. I remember spending a good chunk of time painstakingly training them how to safely remove and put away the dishes.

It took countless repetition before I felt confident enough to release them to do the task independently. Even then, I kept a watchful eye throughout the process.

And as they get older the need for training doesn’t go away. Not too long ago, I taught my oldest how to vacuum correctly. That process involved lots of modeling, repeated practice, and gradual release of responsibility too.

Or to put it a different way…none of this happens overnight!

But all that diligence pays off. My kids put away dishes, vacuum, and a whole host of other things like pros now!

The benefits of doing household chores are definitely worth all those hours of training.

Making age-appropriate choices…

The next important thing to remember when assigning chores is to pick tasks that are appropriate for your child’s age and developmental level.

A three-year-old is not ready to wield a heavy-duty vacuum. And a ten-year-old is capable of far more than wiping off the kitchen table.

It’s important to think carefully about what your child can realistically accomplish and then assign chores accordingly.

I mentioned my kids started off unloading the dishwasher. But even that didn’t happen all at once. First, they were assigned to only take out and put away items that weren’t breakable.

As they became competent at that, I taught them how to carefully remove the glass items and just stack them on the counter. I put those things away myself.

And as their confidence and skills grew, they graduated to actually putting the glass stuff away too-standing on a chair to reach cabinets that were too high.

Kids are often capable of far more than we give them credit for. A three-year-old CAN make their bed. A nine-year-old CAN vacuum an entire house. A twelve-year-old CAN cook dinner.

Those tasks might not be done perfectly. But perfection isn’t the end goal anyway.

Start small and go from there. But don ‘ t underestimate your kids.

Need a list of chore ideas? Check out “ A Complete List of Chores for Kids By Age .”

Keeping everything organized…

Another vital piece of the chore system is figuring out a practical way to put it all together. There are tons of chore charts and other helpful resources out there to keep you and your kids organized.

(Find my favorite one here .)

Regardless of what system you choose, you DO need a plan. Without one, you’re much less likely to see the many benefits of doing household chores.

I know from experience…not having an organized approach leads to a whole lot of nagging and reminding.

It also puts the weight of responsibility for completing chores solely on the parent. Which doesn’t support the growth of responsibility we’re shooting for!

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Encouraging a positive attitude…

So, now that you have an idea of how to start practically implementing chores in your home, let’s move on to those “valuable life lessons” I mentioned earlier.

A big hurdle in chore training is overcoming negativity from your kids. They may be excited to start. And that feeling might hang around for a while.

But most kids will naturally start to find chores more burdensome than enjoyable. Many will begin to complain and try to work their way out of completing tasks.

Or simply “forget” to do chores all together.

And while all of that is exhausting and frustrating for parents, it’s also a golden opportunity to build character in your kids. It’s where the benefits of doing household chores go beyond the tangible and begin to reach into the hearts of your kids.

Because life is full of hard things And lots of stuff we simply don’t want to do.

Our children need to know how to persevere past their feelings and get the job done.

Even more importantly, they need to know how to complete that unwanted task with a good attitude.

Their lives will be happier and more fulfilling if they learn that lesson at a young age.

A quote for this post about the benefits of doing household chores for kids that reads, "The benefits of chores for kids go far beyond checking tasks off a list."

So, be intentional about training character while you’re teaching how to do chores.

In our house they’re consequences for chores left undone. When it comes to the jobs they get paid for, pay can get docked for a bad attitude.

Or they can miss out on the “promotion” to a more desired job or a possible “pay raise” due to grumbling, complaining, or a lack of effort.

And we have one very important, non-negotiable rule…work is ALWAYS done before play.

The benefits of doing household chores…

To be honest, attitudes during chore time are still a work in progress at our house. My kids have come a long way. But there’s still a whole lot of room for growth.

Regardless, here’s something I know for sure…much more is happening than simply checking off their to-do lists.

With every roll of the eyes when “cleaning day” is mentioned…Each time a consequence is delivered for not following through…Every conversation about perseverance…And each reward that’s given out for a job well done…

They all point toward a greater goal. These benefits of doing household chores will last far beyond this season of training.

Kids with a strong work ethic that know the meaning of perseverance. Attitudes that don’t give up when things get hard or don’t go as planned.

Children that understand how to stay positive in the face of adversity. And are capable of pushing past their emotions to accomplish the task at hand.

Kids that can find joy in unexpected places. And know the feeling of satisfaction that comes with a job well done.

They might not know it now…but it’s so much more than cleaning day.

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Have you seen the benefits of doing household chores in your own home? Do you have any tips or tricks that work for your family? Please s hare in the comments below!

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benefits of doing house chores

Benefits of Doing Chores

benefits of doing house chores

1. Chores provide children with a purpose

Children develop a sense of ownership when they have jobs to do around the house and it makes them feel like they are an important member of the household. Children like to feel important and this helps to build their self-esteem.

2. Chores teach children about delayed gratification

If you want to, you could reward any chores that your child completes with an allowance. This could be a special treat at the end of the week if all chores have been completed. Ultimately, any reward system will help your child to learn about delayed gratification. This is an important concept to teach since we live in a world full of immediate gratification.

3. Chores help to improve motor skills

There are plenty of things that children can do around the house which will help to develop their gross and fine motor skills. For example, children can help in the kitchen by drying dishes or measuring out ingredients when cooking. They can help to sweep or dust the house. Children can also help in the garden by pulling up weeds or raking up dead leaves.

4. Chores teach self-discipline

In life, there are lots of things that we don’t enjoy doing but we still have to do them. Everyone needs to be able to participate in aspects of life that they may not enjoy such a school, a relationship or work. To succeed in many areas of life, self-discipline is crucial.

5. Chores help you to learn about working with others

If your young child has siblings then get all of your children to work together on completing a task. If your child doesn’t have any siblings then get them to complete chores with you. When working with other children have to learn how to compromise and decide who completes which task. This helps them to become flexible and understand different roles.

6. Chores influence success as adults

A study was conducted which highlighted that a child success as an adult can be related to whether or not he or she helped with household chores at the young age of 3 or 4 years. The study revealed that these children grow up to have good relationships and were less likely to use drugs, as well as many other benefits. When you provide a child with a job to do, their confidence in their abilities to complete a task grows. If you consider an early year setting such as a daycare center, you will see how enthusiastic young children are when it comes to cleaning, helping to maintain the garden or getting involved with cooking and baking. Quite often we think it’s convenient to just do the chores ourselves, as this means the job will get done correctly and efficiently. However, this means we are missing out on important opportunities which help to improve our children’s confidence as well as many other vital traits.

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benefits of doing house chores

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10 Benefits of Using Chore Charts for Kids

K eeping a clean house is not easy, and with children it can become even harder to set aside time to pick up toys, clothes, and wipe down the floors. There is a way to integrate your children into cleaning though – using chore charts. Check out our article about ten benefits of using chore charts for kids, and where you can get a chore chart to start keeping your kids organized and your house clean. 

RELATED: How to Prepare Kids for Preschool

What Is a Chore Chart?

Chore charts are a calendar-format chart used to list out chores and delegate responsibilities to your children. It provides a little extra encouragement to do chores, and gives positive reinforcement that your children are doing a good thing. 

Your child will have a visible goal to reach, and can celebrate with every chore crossed off their list or a sticker added to their chart. The positive memories associated with doing chores will have a better chance of following them as they grow up, and continue to do chores and keep an organized personal space. 

10. Teaches Independence

When kids are younger, they often need help doing everything or will follow you everywhere. By giving them some chores suitable for their age, you can give them independence to complete tasks on their own. They will not be clueless on how to do certain chores, and can apply that to the real world.

9. Makes Chores More Fun

Chores can be tedious, boring, and annoying to do, and that’s just the opinion of adults. Kids want to have the ability to play whenever, and cleaning up their mess just doesn’t sound that appealing. By giving them a chart to tie into chores, the chores will become a fun game to complete. 

8. Teaches Responsibility

Having your toys and clothes spread all over the house is messy, and can lead to kids not respecting what they have as much. By using chore charts, you can teach your kids responsibility of their property and of their actions. They will be less likely to make a complete mess if they know they have to clean it up.

7. Balance Between Work/Play

As adults, we all have to balance our work lives and times when we get to relax. This can be true for younger children too, as chore charts will show them the difference between working to make the house clean and playing with their toys. As they grow up, this lesson will stick in their minds, and they will know how to approach work and play equally. 

6. Teaches Pre-reading Skills 

Try having your child place their sticker or cross of their chart for the week, and teach them the words associated with each chore. It will allow them to get used to letters and words, and give them a leg-up when learning how to read and write. One of the most important things for a child to be able to do is read and write, and you can supplement those skills with chore charts.

5. Time Management

Time management is a huge skill to have when you’re older, and it’s perfect to start training your kids when they are young through chores. By having kids do their chores before dinner or before playing, you can ensure that they are choosing their time wisely so they can still play and get what they want, while completing chores. 

4. Organizational Skills

This is a huge one, and a direct correlation to chore charts. By having chores, your house will be picked up and cleaned. There will be no toys or clothes strewn around, and you can have dishes and floors cleaned without you having to do all the work. In the future, kids will be more mindful that they need to keep their clothes and toys in certain places and not all over the house. 

3. Self-Esteem

This one might sound a little weird at first, but it makes sense for a young kid. Children constantly say “look at me” for validation that they are doing a good job. By having them complete chores, you can be proud of them and it will transfer to the kids being proud of themselves for completing a job. 

2. Increased Brain Development

Giving children instructions on what to do and how to do it allows their brain development to increase as they learn useful skills. You can trust your child to understand what is going on, and to behave themselves going forward. 

1. Better Relationships

Sometimes when all of the chores are dumped on one person, it can get tense when other family members continue to make a mess. I can definitely attest to this, as there are certain roles that need to be completed by each family member, and if they aren’t the slack has to be picked up by someone else. By giving everyone chores in the house it lessens the load on you, the parent, and can become a fun weekly activity to bring the family together. 

Age Appropriate Chores for Kids 2-9 years

Not all chores are for all ages. Check out our recommended list of chores that two to nine year-olds can complete with relatively little danger to them. 

  • Put toys away
  • Help feed the pets
  • Pick up clothes
  • Help set the table
  • Pack bag for school
  • Made their bed
  • Put away groceries with a parent
  • Empty the dishwasher with help
  • Vacuum/sweep the floors
  • Pack their lunch
  • Rake leaves
  • Fold/put away clothes
  • Clean bathroom
  • Wash/load dishwasher
  • Help with meal prep
  • Take pet for a walk

ALSO READ: Fantastic Children’s Books for Your Kid: 1976-1999

Chore Charts for Kids

Chore charts can be homemade, but if you’re looking for a more professional chart, check out these options. 

Magnetic Dry Erase Chore Chart Set

If you have multiple kids, this chore chart will be perfect for you. With four sections and a dry erase surface, you can easily add or take away chores as needed. There is even a “reward” section at the bottom, where you can set a goal for your kid in order to watch a movie or have a sleepover. Out of 886 ratings, this chore chart has a 4.6 star rating, and is only $12.

Chore Chart for Kids

If you only have one child that needs a chore chart, this option could be more suited to your family. With knobs that can be switched over once the chore is completed, the chart is interactive for kids and they can feel accomplished moving another peg to the completed section. This chart has paper slots where you write down the chores instead of a dry erase surface. For $10, this 4.3 star chore chart is a perfect start for your child.

Should kids have chore charts?

Parents and caregivers can guide children to become more self-sufficient in their chores and daily life by using chore charts to keep track of their responsibilities. 

Do chores teach kids life skills?

Chores teach kids a range of life skills such as self-worth and self-reliance. It can also help them embrace important lessons such as the value of taking responsibility for their clothes and/or toys, and they are more aware of the mess they have made. 

What are some benefits of children doing chores with pay?

Paying kids to do their chores instills a negative and twisted sense of doing things for the community or others and expecting some sort of monetary reward. Doing chores without pay will avoid this and teach kids responsibility for their mess and awareness of the world around them. 

Chores can become a pain if they are not approached in the right way. By introducing chore charts to your kids, you can make cleaning a family task, and finally keep those floors clean. The benefits will be long-term, so take a chance and try out using chore charts for your kids the next time you need to clean the house.

Keeping a clean house is not easy, and with children it can become even harder to set aside time to

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Essay on Household Chores

Students are often asked to write an essay on Household Chores in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Household Chores

Introduction to household chores.

Household chores are tasks we do to keep our homes clean and organized. These tasks include cleaning, cooking, washing clothes, and many more. Everyone in the family can help with these tasks. Doing chores is important because it teaches responsibility and helps keep our homes nice and tidy.

Types of Household Chores

There are many types of household chores. Some chores, like dusting and sweeping, are done to keep the house clean. Others, like cooking and washing dishes, are done to prepare meals. We also do chores like laundry and taking out the trash.

Benefits of Doing Chores

Doing chores has many benefits. It teaches us how to take care of our things. It also helps us learn to work as a team when we do chores with others. Plus, doing chores can make us feel good because we are helping our family.

In conclusion, household chores are important tasks that help keep our homes clean and organized. Doing these chores can teach us many valuable skills, like responsibility and teamwork. So, let’s all do our part in keeping our homes clean!

250 Words Essay on Household Chores

What are household chores.

Household chores are tasks we do to keep our homes clean and tidy. They include activities like washing dishes, cleaning the house, cooking, doing laundry, and taking care of the garden.

Importance of Household Chores

Household chores are very important. They help us keep our homes clean and safe. A clean home is healthy and comfortable to live in. Chores also teach us responsibility and discipline. When we complete our chores, we learn to take care of our things and spaces.

Sharing Chores in a Family

In a family, everyone should help with chores. This way, the work is not too much for one person. Parents can do the harder tasks, while children can help with simpler ones. For example, children can help set the table or tidy up their toys.

Learning New Skills

Doing chores can also teach us new skills. For example, cooking can teach us about different foods and how to prepare them. Laundry can teach us how to take care of our clothes so they last longer.

The Joy of Completing Chores

Even though chores can sometimes feel boring, there is joy in completing them. When we finish a task, we can feel proud of our work. We can see the results immediately, like a clean room or a cooked meal.

In conclusion, household chores are an important part of our daily lives. They keep our homes clean, teach us responsibility and new skills, and can even bring us joy.

500 Words Essay on Household Chores

Introduction.

Household chores are tasks that we do to keep our homes neat and tidy. These chores include cleaning, cooking, washing dishes, doing laundry, and many more. They are part of our daily life and play a vital role in maintaining a healthy and organized environment.

There are many types of household chores. Cleaning chores involve sweeping and mopping the floors, dusting furniture, and cleaning windows. Kitchen chores include cooking, washing dishes, and cleaning the kitchen. Laundry chores involve washing, drying, and folding clothes. Outdoor chores might include gardening, mowing the lawn, or washing the car. Each chore has its importance and helps in keeping the house clean and organized.

Benefits of Household Chores

Doing household chores has many benefits. First, it helps to keep our surroundings clean and hygienic, which is good for our health. Second, it teaches us responsibility and discipline as we need to complete these tasks regularly. Third, chores can be a great way to exercise and stay fit. For example, sweeping the floor or mowing the lawn can be a good workout. Lastly, doing chores can also help us to learn new skills like cooking or gardening, which can be useful in our life.

Sharing Household Chores

Household chores should not be the responsibility of one person. They should be shared among all family members. This not only divides the work but also helps in building teamwork and cooperation. For example, parents can cook and clean, while children can help in setting the table or washing dishes. This way, everyone contributes to the household work and it becomes less burdensome for one person.

Chores as a Learning Experience

Doing household chores can be a great learning experience, especially for children. It teaches them the importance of cleanliness and hygiene. It also instills a sense of responsibility and discipline in them. They learn to manage their time effectively as they need to balance their chores and other activities like studies and play. Moreover, they learn practical skills like cooking, cleaning, and gardening which are essential life skills.

In conclusion, household chores are an integral part of our daily life. They help in maintaining cleanliness and order in our homes. They teach us valuable lessons about responsibility and teamwork. Moreover, they provide us with an opportunity to learn new skills. So, instead of seeing them as a burden, we should embrace them as a part of our routine and contribute our bit in making our homes a better place to live in.

(Word count: 500)

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

One Comment

Definitely, these sharing of household chores equally including washing dishes, laundry, cleaning, cooking etc.are very important so that the wife ,the lady of the house can get time for herself ( and her own parents). Women already work double if they are working professionals.If working to help husband financially or to make themselves economically independent, husband must help his wife in household chores equally including washing dishes, laundry, cleaning, cooking etc.esp.if she is helping him in working financially.

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  5. THE IMPORTANCE OF KIDS DOING CHORES

    benefits of doing house chores

  6. 5 Benefits Of Doing Household Chores For A Child

    benefits of doing house chores

COMMENTS

  1. Benefits of Doing Chores Includes Boosting Brain Function

    Furthermore, the benefits of doing chores can also extend to relieving stress, since cleaning can promote a sense of control, and organization can help calm down the nervous system. And...

  2. 10 Reasons Why Household Chores Are Important

    1. Sense of Responsibility Kids who do chores learn responsibility and gain important life skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. Kids feel competent when they do their chores. Whether they're making their bed or they're sweeping the floor, helping out around the house gives them a sense of accomplishment.

  3. 20 Developmental Benefits of Household Chores

    Improves critical thinking/problem solving skills Helps increase task tolerance and attention

  4. 8 Surprising Benefits of Routine Daily Chores

    1. Chores can lead to creative problem-solving. As researchers state here in a study entitled, "Inspired by Distraction: Mind Wandering Facilitates Creative Incubation," doing undemanding tasks...

  5. How housework can improve our mental and physical health

    Housework is linked to sharper memory, attention span, and better leg strength, and by extension, greater protection against falls, in older adults, finds research published in the open access journal BMJ Open. The findings were independent of other regular recreational and workplace physical activities, and active commuting.

  6. The Importance of Chores for Kids

    Benefits Kids Gain from Doing Chores While assigning your kids chores can certainly take some of the strain off you, that's not the only reason you should expect your kids to pitch in around the house. Studies show chores are good for children.

  7. The benefits of kids doing chores

    2- to 3-year-olds can put toys away, dress themselves and help put clean dishes away by sorting silverware. 4- to 5-year-olds can help feed pets, make their beds (maybe not perfectly) and help clear the table after dinner. 6- to 7-year-olds can wipe tables and counters, put laundry away and vacuum floors.

  8. The Benefits of ChoresThe Center for Parenting Education

    Even though it is more difficult at the time to persist in having children do chores, kids benefit from the experience. Research indicates that those children who do have a set of chores have higher self-esteem, are more responsible, and are better able to deal with frustration and delay gratification, all of which contribute to greater success ...

  9. The Benefits of Giving Kids Chores

    Helping out with household chores can boost self-esteem, teach responsibility, and help your child feel like he's part of the home.

  10. Doing Household Chores Can Help Your Brain Stay Younger and Healthier

    A study published in February 2021 in the journal BMC Geriatrics found that performing routine household chores—like gardening, vacuuming, sweeping, doing laundry, and reorganizing the winter coat closet—had positive associations with both brain volume and cognition in older adults. 7 Consistent Habits of People Who Age Well.

  11. Health Benefits of Chores

    1 / 8 iStock/Wavebreakmedia Wash dishes: Reduce anxiety People who cleaned their plates mindfully (they focused on smelling the soap, feeling the water temperature, and touching the dishes) lowered...

  12. Can Household Chores Be Considered Brain-Boosting Exercise?

    Given the potential brain health benefits of doing housework, caregivers and loved ones of people in the early stages of cognitive impairment should let them continue with their chores.

  13. Executive functions and household chores: Does engagement in chores

    The benefits of completing household chores appear to transfer beyond managing day‐to‐day living. It is possible that chore engagement may improve executive functions, as engagement in chores require individuals to plan, self‐regulate, switch between tasks, and remember instructions. To date, little research has been conducted on ...

  14. Advantages and Disadvantages of Doing Household Chores

    Advantages of Doing Household Chores Promotes cleanliness and organization - Keeping your living space tidy and everything in its right place makes it easier to find things and live comfortably. Enhances time management skills - Learning to keep track of chores and manage when to do them helps you get better at planning your day.

  15. Chores and Children

    Chores and Children. Chores are routine but necessary tasks, such as washing the dishes or folding laundry. 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 ...

  16. Surprising Health Benefits of 8 Household Chores

    12/28/2021 by Brian Vaszily Household chores are often a dreaded task, but recent research has revealed that they may be an important part of staying healthy. In fact, spending 30 minutes a day doing chores that get you active could cut your risk of dying from any cause by 28%.

  17. 7 Health Benefits of Doing Household Chores

    In addition that it helps you to burn calories, and it also helps to strengthen your immune system because you are getting rid of germs, bacteria, or mold that could have infected you. Cleaning the toilet can also keep your home healthy and hygienic. 4. Making the Bed

  18. Performing Household Chores Could Improve Your Health

    Performing household chores for 30 minutes as physical activity can be effective in reducing heart disease, similar to running or daily walking.

  19. The Benefits of Doing Household Chores

    These benefits of doing household chores will last far beyond this season of training. Kids with a strong work ethic that know the meaning of perseverance. Attitudes that don't give up when things get hard or don't go as planned. Children that understand how to stay positive in the face of adversity.

  20. Benefits of Doing Chores

    1. Chores provide children with a purpose Children develop a sense of ownership when they have jobs to do around the house and it makes them feel like they are an important member of the household. Children like to feel important and this helps to build their self-esteem. 2. Chores teach children about delayed gratification

  21. Should kids do chores? The Importance & benefits of chores

    While all families have their own way of doing things, there are some important benefits of chores for young people and encouraging them to take part in the running of the house. Read on to learn more about the importance of chores for kids. Manage chores with GoHenry today! Why are household chores important?

  22. 10 Benefits of Using Chore Charts for Kids

    9. Makes Chores More Fun. Chores can be tedious, boring, and annoying to do, and that's just the opinion of adults. Kids want to have the ability to play whenever, and cleaning up their mess ...

  23. Essay on Household Chores

    Conclusion In conclusion, household chores are important tasks that help keep our homes clean and organized. Doing these chores can teach us many valuable skills, like responsibility and teamwork. So, let's all do our part in keeping our homes clean! 250 Words Essay on Household Chores What are Household Chores?

  24. Should kids do chores? The importance of household chores for ...

    3. Household chores encourage kids to get used to routines. By doing tasks regularly, children will soon learn how a routine can help them accomplish them. It shows them that they must do certain things at certain times to move on to the next chore. 4. Household chores help build a sense of purpose