A new study has discovered a host of seemingly mundane activities that are likely to ease stress and anxiety, with making tea or coffee (49 percent), watering plants (31 percent) and working on a car (18 percent) among the top 30 stress busters.

A staggering 91 percent agree that you can find relaxation in everyday tasks, with washing the car (17 percent) also emerging as therapeutic.

Everyday Mindfulness Activities

The study by eBay found that just over half (56 percent) believe that everyday tasks can actually be MORE relaxing than meditation or yoga, with jobs that don’t require any thought (53 percent) being the best for finding a moment of calm.

Echoing the classic 70s book “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” the study found that tactile tasks with an end product are one of the most satisfying of all (49 percent), so it is no surprise that crocheting (14 percent), cleaning the car out (12 percent) and making flatpack furniture (six percent) were also on the list.

Surprisingly, a host of household chores even make an appearance, including folding the washing (25 percent), doing the ironing (23 percent), going to the supermarket (20 percent) and even sorting out the recycling (13 percent).

One in ten (nine percent) say they find relaxation in cleaning windows, while six percent get lost while shining their shoes.

10 Moments of Relaxation

On average Brits have 10 moments of relaxation a day, with one in three (33 percent) claiming they are having less stress-free moments now compared to three years ago. Almost half (49 percent) wish they had more periods of calm in their lives.

Money (58 percent), work (37 percent), family (34 percent) and health (25 percent) are the areas of life that cause the most stress.

Even though 58 percent agree that technology has made it harder to relax, watching TV (71 percent) is the nation’s favourite way to switch off, along with going for a walk (58 percent), watching a film (48 percent) and reading a book or magazine (45 percent). A third (36 percent) have a bath, while 35 percent tuck into a slice of cake and a cup of tea.

Simple Tasks can be Therapeutic

Psychologist Dr Lisa Doern, comments on the findings, “It is interesting to see from this research, how many of the simplest, seemingly mundane tasks in life, are actually calming and therapeutic. From a psychological perspective, people get into a zone, or mental state, in which they don’t need to think and are fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus and enjoyment. It’s as if action and consciousness melt together as people concentrate on the task rather than their worries and concerns.

“When messing around under the bonnet of their car for example, a balance between the perceived challenges of the task and one’s perceived skills takes place and increases the chances of getting into ‘the zone’. These everyday tasks can also release endorphins which relate to “pleasure centres” in the brain, creating a general feeling of well-being. Regularly increasing your endorphin levels can also boost your mood and brain function and ward off anxiety and stress”.

Laura Richards, eBay category lead for vehicle Parts and Accessories said: “I’m not surprised that people find relaxation and relieve stress by doing ordinary household chores and hobbies. Working on a project car or doing those little bits of DIY on your daily run-around, not only provide that sense of achievement people enjoy but also help reduce costs. At eBay we have everything people could possibly need to tinker on their car.”

30 Everyday Activities that Brits find Therapeutic:

Making a cup of tea or coffee – 49%

Watering plants – 31%

Chopping herbs – 31%

Hanging out the washing – 28%

Mowing the lawn – 26%

Folding the washing – 25%

Vacuuming – 25%

Driving – 23%

Painting walls – 23%

Weeding the garden – 23%

Ironing – 23%

Wiping the kitchen surfaces – 21%

Walking around the supermarket – 20%

Working on your car – 18%

Making the bed – 18%

Washing the car – 17%

Sorting out life admin – 14%

Crocheting/knitting – 14%

Sorting the recycling – 13%

Watching the washing machine cycle – 13%

Grating cheese – 12%

Cleaning a tiled floor – 11%

Mashing potatoes – 10%

Sweeping – 9%

Cleaning the windows – 9%

Trimming the edges of the lawn – 9%

Tidying your garage – 6%

Shining your shoes – 6%

Making flatpack furniture – 6%

Chopping wood – 6%

What Relaxes You?

Do you agree with the findings in this study? I do! I practise what I call “staring meditation” while washing dishes and staring out of the kitchen window or allow my mind to wander while I’m pulling up weeds in the garden. My best relaxing activity is daily cuddles with our kitten and dog. Share your relaxing daily activities in the comments.

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Note: Research of 2,000 Britons was commissioned by eBay and was conducted by Perspectus Global in September 2023. This article contains affiliate links, meaning that if you shop using the links I share, I receive a small income at no extra cost to yourself. Thank you for supporting SpookyMrsGreen!