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Homework and Fitness: Why Doing Housework Uses the Same Energy as Exercising?
In today's fast-paced life, fitness and health are often considered to be achieved only through formal exercise. However, according to new research, many household tasks actually use up a similar amount of energy, such as cleaning the home, washing dishes or gardening.
Based on each person's basal metabolic rate (BMR) and the intensity of the activity, we can measure the calories burned in these home tasks in metabolic equivalents (METs). According to research, some household chores actually have higher MET values than some traditional fitness activities, meaning these daily chores can also help increase energy expenditure.
"Even housework, such as wiping the table or vacuuming, can significantly increase calorie consumption, which is something many people overlook."
Take cleaning as an example. Its MET value is close to that of brisk walking, which means that a person may consume more energy bending down to clean than running easily in the gym. This phenomenon highlights how, without realizing it, our lifestyle can be the secret to better health.
Theoretically, completing one hour of housework can consume about 300 to 400 calories, which is very close to one hour of steady exercise. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, which can be accomplished by cleaning housework, washing the car, or performing other household activities.
"Daily activities in the family can actually be regarded as a constantly updated way of fitness, encouraging us to burn calories all the time!"
It is worth noting that the perception of exercise intensity is also very important for the assessment of calorie consumption. Research shows that more intensive household tasks, such as lifting heavy objects and digging soil, can increase a person's heart rate faster, thereby increasing overall energy expenditure. So next time you’re cleaning up around the house, think of it as a form of exercise.
Finally, finding ways to exercise flexibly in daily life can not only improve physical health, but also reduce the time spent sitting and standing and improve blood circulation. In a busy life, this may be a more feasible health strategy. So, are you starting to think of working from home as a form of fitness?
