Doing Household Chores Can Help Your Brain Stay Younger and Healthier for Longer, Study Suggests
It's long been known that engaging in routine physical activity is extremely important for promoting brain health and longevity.
COULD WE SAVE THESE ARTICLES UNTIL WE'RE ALL CLEAR OF A PANDEMIC THAT KEEPS US HOUSEBOUND
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.
HOW ABOUT THE MOVEMENT REQUIRED TO PUT EVERYBODY'S BIKES AND SKATEBOARDS AND SCOOTERS AWAY WHEN MY FAMILY HAS LEFT THE HOUSE FOR SOME EXERCISE AND I'VE STAYED BEHIND TO WORK MORE YET THEY CAN'T SEE FIT TO CLEAN UP AFTER THEMSELVES OH RIGHT HOUSEWORK IS A POSITIVE THING SORRY SORRY
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?
I AM FUNDAMENTALLY OPPOSED TO ANY ARTICLE IN A WOMEN'S MAGAZINE THAT TRIES TO PUT A GOOD SPIN ON HOUSEWORK TRAITORS TRAITORS
A study published in February 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.
I TOO KNOW THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF REORGANIZING CLOSETS BUT I REFUSE TO ADMIT IT PUBLICLY ALSO THIS ARTICLE IS LACKING THE RESEARCH THAT MARRIED WOMEN WHO DO THE MAJORITY OF HOUSEWORK AND CHILD CARE HAVE A SHORTER LIFE SPAN
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.
HOW MANY OF THESE ADULTS WERE MALE AND HOW MANY WERE FEMALE AND HOW MANY OF THE MALE ONES NEEDED TO BE SHOWN HOW TO USE A VACUUM CLEANER
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!)
YOU’RE GETTING DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO SUGGESTING THAT HOUSEWORK INCREASES LIFE SPAN AND HAPPINESS WOULD YOU LIKE SOME ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY
"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,
OH HI NOAH. HOW MUCH HOUSEWORK DO YOU DO NOAH
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."
DO YOU DO YOUR OWN LAUNDRY NOAH
The study cites a few possible reasons for the outcome. One, chores by nature get people up and moving,
WHICH CHORES DO YOU DO YOU NOAH
which leads to less time being sedentary
ALSO KNOWN AS LEISURE TIME
—a common and harmful lifestyle habit
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA SORRY GO ON
connected with decreased brain function and wellbeing, particularly as adults age.
DECREASED BRAIN FUNCTION IS WHAT I LIVE FOR
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).
ALL OF WHICH I WOULD RATHER DO THAN HOUSEHOLD TASKS
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.
SEE MY CHAPTER "MENTAL LOAD" FOR HOW TASKS SUCH AS PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION FALL ON THE GENDER BINARY
Keeping our existing neurons firing—as well as intentionally introducing new neural pathways—is essential for optimal brain fitness throughout life.
THIS IS WHAT I'M PRETTY SURE WOULD PROMOTE OPTIMAL BRAIN FITNESS THROUGHOUT MY LIFE:
NO MORE HOUSEWORK
It seems relevant that I just dropped coin on a vacuum cleaner. Here is the clear “dust cup” (below), which fills up with pet hair and dead skin instantaneously when I vacuum the living room. I love this vacuum cleaner, and here are some things I would rather be doing than using it:
Smoking a joint in the laundry room (see “decreased brain function,” above).
Drinking a cold sauvignon blanc on a hot day.
Getting shat on by a pigeon.
Picking up a pound of dried lentils with a tweezers.
Listening to a workshop leader read an inspirational quote, pause, and then ask participants to share their feelings about it.
Listening to participants share their feelings about it.
Watching someone in the car in front of me throw garbage out the window.
