Why Housework Doesn't Do Much For Your Health

   By SheSpeaksTeam  Nov 26, 2013

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If getting healthy and shedding a few pounds is your goal you may not be getting anywhere by adding extra household chores to your exercise routine. A recent study gives us more reason to put off laundry a little while longer and go for a nice long walk instead.

NBC News reports about the new study from Northern Ireland that suggests housework is not really burning all the calories we think it is. Though many people probably feel they are getting enough exercise by performing household chores, the study finds that even moderate exercise outside the home beats housework any day.

Researchers found that people who tend to do more daily housework were heavier than those who don’t. Part of the reason for this may be that those who do lots of household chores feel they are getting enough exercise and are too tired to get out for more at the end of the day.

Researchers warn that housework may take up a lot of our energy but does little to give us the exercise we really need. Since chores like vacuuming, mowing the lawn, and scrubbing the floors tax smaller muscle groups we perceive we are getting more of a workout than we really are.

The bottom line from experts is brisk walks, jogging, or taking a bike ride will give a bigger boost to your metabolism and get your heart rate going at healthier levels than the workout we’re getting at home.

What do you think of the new study that suggests housework can lead to getting less exercise?

Do you get most of your exercise doing housework or do you try to incorporate other activities as well?