Caloric expenditure in household chores: How many calories do you burn doing housework?

Example of calories burned sweeping

Use the table below to see how many calories you lose when you sweep.

Does housework count as a sport?

Cleaning is not only an essential part of keeping your home clean and welcoming, it’s also a great way to burn calories. In fact, some household activities can be compared to a moderate physical workout, making your cleaning routine an effective way of increasing your daily calorie expenditure.

Did you know? Doing the housework can burn around four times as many calories as when you’re at rest. Think about that the next time you’re about to vacuum, clean the windows or scrub the bathroom – every action counts!

To make the activity more enjoyable and even more effective, why not combine housework with music? Not only will it make the task more entertaining, but it can also encourage you to move more, thereby increasing the amount of calories burned. Imagine dancing with your broom as your partner, or doing rhythmic movements while you dust. It’s a simple and fun way to turn a chore into a workout in disguise.

To give you a better idea of the calories you can burn by cleaning, here’s a little calorie calculator. This calculator will enable you to work out the number of calories burned according to the household activity performed and the duration of the activity. Remember, every effort counts in your quest for a healthier, more active lifestyle. So put on some music, put on your cleaning gloves, and get ready to burn some calories while making your house sparkle!

Housework: a surprising mental health ally

As well as contributing to your daily energy expenditure, cleaning can also have beneficial effects on your mental health. In fact, numerous studies have shown that even moderate physical activity can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve mood and increase general well-being.

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2019 found that even light housework can have a positive impact on mental health. Researchers found that people who spent at least 20 minutes a day on housework had significantly lower levels of stress and anxiety than those who didn’t clean.

In addition to this, having a clean and organised environment can also contribute to better mental health. According to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, clutter can be a source of stress and can affect the ability to concentrate. On the other hand, a clean and tidy living space can promote a sense of control and accomplishment, while reducing stress and anxiety levels.

Finally, tidying up can also provide a sense of immediate satisfaction. Seeing a clean and tidy room after spending time cleaning it can provide a sense of achievement that can improve mood and boost self-confidence.

So cleaning isn’t just good for your physical health, it’s good for your mental health too. So the next time you think of housework as a chore, remember that every sweep or wipe contributes not only to a cleaner environment, but also to your mental well-being.

In conclusion, cleaning is an activity that combines many benefits: it burns calories, reduces stress, improves your mood and increases your sense of satisfaction. So don’t wait any longer and start looking after your home, and your mental health too!