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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
official
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10242587
Beneficial effects of household activities have also been found for mental health. Household physical activities, such as gardening and heavy housework, seem to benefit older adults’ mental health, particularly in reducing fatigue . A recent study showed that greater engagement in household physical activity was associated with fewer depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic . In addition to mental health benefits stemming from its physical activity component, housework may also enable a [...] Mental health was also found to partially mediate the relationship between housework and survival. As mentioned above, engaging in housework may increase individuals’ levels of physical activity, and physical activity in turn has been found to have a protective effect on mental health. A recent review synthesizing studies on older adults in South and Southeast Asia has found that greater engagement in physical activities is associated with lower depression risk and better sleep quality . [...] The results showed a positive association between housework engagement and days survived after controlling for demographic variables (age, sex, education, marital status, subjective social status, and living alone). Physical health and mental health, but not cognitive functioning, partially mediated the relationship between housework engagement and days survived. The findings suggest that doing housework may contribute to longer survival by improving older adults’ physical and mental health.
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psychologytoday.com
article
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/202208/8-surprising-psych…
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. [...] 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. [...] 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.
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brainandlife.org
article
https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/doing-household-chores-may-be-good-for-…
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 [...] 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 [...] 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.
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thrivehere.com
article
https://www.thrivehere.com/clean-house-healthy-mind-spring-cleaning-benefits-…
When experiencing mental health struggles, people may feel a lack of control over their lives and emotions. Cleaning even small areas of the home can provide an increased sense of order and control as you cross tasks off your to-do list. Through realizing your own power by simply completing minor tasks like cleaning, it can reaffirm your ability to do more.
### 10 Tips for Cleaning When Struggling with Mental Health [...] Your ability to complete tasks can be affected by a multitude of different factors and conditions including OCD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more. If you are struggling with motivation due to your mental health, help is here at Thrive Wellness.
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# Download our free wellness guide. [...] ### 4 Reasons Why Cleaning is Beneficial to Mental health
1.Decreased Stress
Not only does an uncluttered space provide a sense of calm, but the physical act of cleaning can release feel-good endorphins, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. As you cross tasks off your checklist, your body also releases Dopamine. Also known as the “happy hormone”, Dopamine provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that can promote motivation in other areas of our lives.
2. Improved Focus
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foundationsft.com
article
https://foundationsft.com/cleaning
The British Journal of Sports Medicine reported that only twenty minutes of physical activity was enough to decrease stress levels! Over 3,000 people surveyed reported that regular housework was enough to decrease anxiety and stress levels. While cleaning isn’t a cure-all, that percentage can really help boost your energy and calm your nerves. [...] On a deeper level, mental clutter can interfere with our clarity and create emotional baggage. Sometimes, external factors can interfere with your joy in life. Therefore, the problem is not in finding things that bring you joy, but in de-cluttering, your life so unhealthy distractions don’t get in the way. [...] Decluttering mentally is a little deeper than just getting rid of clothes you don’t wear anymore. It’s about reevaluating your thinking patterns and problem solving methods. It’s about relationships you’ve outgrown or ones that no longer serve you.
Sometimes, you can’t fully appreciate the joys in life because of mental clutter. This year, as you dive into spring cleaning, think about decluttering your mind to create joy, peace, and fulfillment.
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onecentralhealth.com.au
article
https://www.onecentralhealth.com.au/blog/the-importance-of-kids-doing-chores
Chores are more than just tasks—they are a practical, everyday intervention that supports:
Cognitive development (executive functioning)
Emotional wellbeing (regulation, resilience)
Behavioural stability (routine, responsibility)
Social development (connection, teamwork)
When children participate in chores consistently and with support, they build skills that directly contribute to long-term mental health and independence. [...] The key is to keep chores age-appropriate, consistent, and positively reinforced. When approached this way, everyday household tasks can become meaningful opportunities for growth, resilience, and lifelong wellbeing.
If you’d like to find out more about One Central Health, give us a call today on (08) 9344 1318.
ChoresClinical BenefitsDevelopmental BenefitsSkill teachingskills teachingteaching new behaviourteaching skill
## Share this article [...] Clinically, a sense of control over one’s environment is linked to improved mental health outcomes. When children are given meaningful responsibilities, they experience a sense of agency—feeling that they can influence their surroundings. This is especially beneficial in reducing symptoms of anxiety, where children may otherwise feel powerless or overwhelmed.
Children who contribute to their home develop a stronger sense of agency—the belief that their actions have an impact.
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facebook.com
news
https://www.facebook.com/adultdownsyndromecenter/posts/looking-for-a-way-to-b…
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Graphic with text: Health benefits of chores. Doing chores is a way to add more movement into the day, helps increase responsibility and independence, may reduce stress, and provides opportunities to practice a variety of skills (e.g., memory, planning, organizing).
Logo: Advocate Medical Group Adult Down Syndrome Center [...] GIF [...] ❤️
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truereflectionsmhs.com
article
https://www.truereflectionsmhs.com/blog/benefits-child-chores/play-therapy-mi…
Jan 1, 2026 — They are able to see their own abilities and feel confident in themselves. They feel a sense of accomplishment and self worth. They learn how to ...Read more