Couples Clean The Mess With Less Stress

   By drodriguez  May 31, 2011

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Having a little help from your spouse with household chores can definitely lighten the load and, as a new study reported about in Time Magazine points out, can lower your stress levels too. 

The study followed around 30 couples who worked outside the home and had children between the ages of 8 and 10. Researchers found that women’s stress levels were lowest when their spouse pitched in and they did chores together.

Interestingly, men’s stress levels were only reduced when their spouse was doing all the housework and they were left without any chores.

People who spend a good part of their evening doing housework alone are unable to lower their cortisol levels. If cortisol levels do not go down in the evening as they are supposed to, a person is more prone to getting sick and may even shorten their lifespan. This may be the best reason to either share chores with your spouse or let those dishes soak in the sink a little longer while you unwind.

Why do you think men find stress in sharing the chores, while sharing chores with a partner reduces stress levels for women?

Tell us about your daily routine! Do you have any help with household chores?