Maintaining Mental Wellness at Garden of Palms Assisted Living Facility in Los Angeles

How Household Chores are Maintained in Assisted Living Facilities

It has long been known that engaging in regular physical activity is very important in promoting brain health and endurance. Whether it is leisure activities like bike riding, or formal exercise in the gym, we know that movement is a powerful way to keep the brain sharp, fresh, and clear. Exercise has both short and long-term benefits on the body and brain. But what about the other types of daily activities that can be considered exercise or classified as entertainment? 

Does house and yard work provide the same effects of brain stimulation as fast walking or backyard games with friends and family? Doing household chores may not be as powerful as a cardio exercise in the gym, but new research shows that it can help keep the brain young and healthy. Even seemingly minimal exercise can help keep cognitive diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's away.

This Study Shows that doing daily routine work at home like

gardening, vacuuming, sweeping, making the bed, laundry, and even “Spring cleaning” has positive effects on brain capacity and cognition, especially regarding senior citizens.

Different household chores provide different mental and physical benefits. Understanding how different types of physical activity contribute to mental health is important in developing strategies to reduce the risk of depression and dementia as we age.

Researchers have found that older adults who regularly spend time engaging in such activities have a greater brain volume, regardless of how much they work. This was observed in the hippocampus, which plays a major role in memory and learning, as well as the frontal lobe, which is involved in many cognitive aspects.

How do Chores Keep the Brain Healthy?

Although most people probably aren't enthusiastic about doing domestic work, researchers say that these daily tasks help the brain in several ways. These household chores have a similar effect as mild aerobic exercise — which benefits the cardiovascular system.

Daily tasks also compel the brain to plan and organize, which promotes the formation of new neuronal connections over time. Household chores also make individuals less inactive. Sitting all day and being less active can lead to health deterioration and depression.

In addition, the benefits of doing household chores can go a long way in reducing stress, as cleaning can promote a sense of control, and being well organized can help to relax the nervous system. Considering that stress can jeopardize all aspects of well-being, including our cognitive brain health, it’s beneficial household chores help us to decompress 

Listed below are some of the daily chores and benefits we can get from these.

1. Making the Bed

It has been found that people who make their beds, start their day feeling productive every morning and have a better sense of well-being. Most people after making their beds, feel that they have achieved something, which means that they have a greater desire to complete the tasks they have all day.

On the other hand, having dirty beds can lead to stress from the moment you wake up. Not only does it make your bed more productive, but people who make their beds are also reported to sleep better than people who leave their beds dirty.

2. Doing the Dishes

Cleaning your plate mindfully is helpful when it comes to reducing your level of nervousness. allowing your mind to wander while washing the dishes can help with lowering stress levels. Washing the dishes is also a good time for practicing breathing and relaxing exercises.

3. Gardening

Gardening is proven to be of great benefit to your mental health and physical well-being. Productive gardening can increase serotonin levels in the brain, making you happy all day long. Gardening can also improve your whole mood.

2. Vacuuming

Vacuuming provides the same benefits that come with 15 minutes of kickboxing. Instead of cleaning the rooms separately, try to clean the whole house at once. This exercise helps to give your legs, torso, and arms, a good workout.

5. Doing the Laundry

Changing sheets, holding up wet towels, collecting dirty clothes, and using a washing machine and dryer is adequate physical activity. In addition, if seniors like to hang laundry in a clothing line, the amount of their physical activity also increases. Seniors can continue this physical activity by wrapping the washed clothes and putting them up in the closet.

Besides helping to guide the physical activity in older citizens, these daily chores may also encourage them to be more active, as household chores are natural and often required in most people's daily lives, and therefore seem very attainable.

Maintaining Mental Wellness at Garden of Palms Assisted Living Facility in Los Angeles

At Garden of Palms assisted living facility, we understand the importance of what may be considered simple things, like household tasks, when it comes to maintaining cognitive health. We utilize a variety of methods to tailor a living plan to meet our residents’ needs. Please call/contact us at the Garden of Palms Assisted living facility to schedule a visit to our amazing facility. Our incredible staff will be happy to give you a personal tour and answer any questions you may have. Take care!