The famous British doctor and TV personality Dr. Michael Mosley, known for his BBC series "Trust Me, I'm a Doctor," delved into the question: Can homework count as exercise?

Health guidelines recommend 150 minutes of physical activity per week to prevent obesity and disease, Dr. Mosley's program investigated whether home cleaning meets all of these requirements.

Dr. Andy Blanin, a sports and exercise expert at the University of Birmingham, analyzed common household tasks using the metabolic equivalent scale, which rates physical activity from 1 (sedentary) to 23 (high exertion).

Activities rated 3 or higher qualify as moderate exercise. The research suggests that some cleaning tasks can indeed count as exercise, provided they are performed for a long enough period of time. D-Blanin advises spreading out household chores throughout the week, rather than tackling them all in one day.

This is because the health benefits of physical activity last for 12-14 hours, making daily movement more effective.

There are additional health benefits to dedicating time to housework. A 2021 study conducted at a geriatric center in Canada investigated the relationship between housework and brain volume and cognitive function. The study found that participants who spent the most time on tasks such as cleaning, tidying, meal preparation, shopping, and cooking showed significant changes in the hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for memory and learning, as well as in the frontal lobe, which is associated with cognitive function.

According to researchers, housework involves planning and organization, which helps create new neural connections in the brain. Additionally, people who do housework spend less time sitting – a sedentary lifestyle has been linked to poor overall health, including brain health, in numerous studies.

Reaching to clean high shelves, pulling out items, or washing windows increases the range of motion in your shoulder joints, improving flexibility. Standing on your toes to reach higher places also strengthens your calf muscles. When performing these actions, stand in a lunge position and keep a short distance from the shelf or window. Standing too close can cause your back to arch, causing lower back discomfort.

Bending your knees to load or unload the dishwasher or organize the bottom drawers helps strengthen the muscles in your thighs and knees. This is also a great opportunity to incorporate squats into your routine. For those with limited mobility or discomfort bending over, use a small stool to sit on and focus on engaging your leg muscles when you stand up.

When you sweep or mop, you stabilize yourself, improving your balance functions. Use a mop or broom with a long handle to maintain a steady grip and avoid straining. Wear non-slip shoes and avoid using too much cleaning products and water to prevent slipping.