When rearranging a drawer is restful: the magic of ‘pottering’

How small tasks can benefit our state of mindFor Anna McGovern there is a satisfying, sensory pleasure to be had in rinsing milk bottles: “The very best thing about getting your milk delivered is ‘rinsing and returning’. Don’t cheat by putting your bottles in the dishwasher. Wash them, by hand. Put a small amount of water in the bottle, slosh the water around, put your hand over the top, shake it up and down, upturn the bottle , glugging the water out, then head for your doorstep and put out the bottle with a ‘plink’”.This is one of many meandering, seemingly mundane tasks that McGovern delights in describing in her new book. Another is pegging out the washing ( “Pull it out of the basket in a long, sweet-smelling, damp lump.”) In fact, when we speak about pottering, McGovern tells me she has done just that to “help order her thoughts”.Continue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - November 14, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Nell Card Tags: Life and style Psychology Science Health & wellbeing Source Type: news