We all have our ways of dealing with and improving our mental health. Some of us prefer lifting weights in the gym to calm our overworked minds while others prefer doing mundane tasks to improve their mental health. And that’s exactly what this man on X (formerly Twitter) meant when he said that “cooking, washing dishes, vacuuming” has helped improve his mental health after moving to the US. However, this post has also sparked a lot of talk about why he couldn’t have done these things while he was living in India. Read on to find out.
Impact On His Mental Health From Doing Chores Like Cooking & Cleaning
My mental health has improved by miles the moment I moved to the US because I'm back to using my hands
I'm cooking, washing dishes, vacuuming and before I know it my mind is calm and I'm humming a song.
I have been the happiest building the massive load of IKEA deliveries… https://t.co/aJBfY8wtZQ
— Abhirath Batra (@AbhirathB) May 7, 2024
Abhirath Batra is a Hyderabad-based engineer who moved to the USA. Ever since he moved there, he was able to use his hands more for everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning. In his post, he said, “My mental health has improved by miles the moment I moved to the US because I’m back to using my hands.” The “Busy hands, quiet mind” thinking worked amazingly well for him as he is able to calm his mind while cooking and washing dishes.
Last 6 months I was living with my parents in ggn so
1. They have their house running in their own way and they didn’t have chores to assign to me. I did cook occasionally but I would have to wrestle the kitchen from mother 😅
2. AQI wasn’t conducive to going around to bring…— Abhirath Batra (@AbhirathB) May 7, 2024
When the comments in the post asked Abhirath why he couldn’t do these things while he still lived in India, he did have a reason for it. He mentioned how he had been living with his parents for the last few days and they ran “their house in their own way.” He did cook sometimes, though, when he was able to take his mom out of the kitchen.
Internet Asks Why Didn’t He Take Up These Tasks At Home In India?
Abhirath Batra’s post has now got a lot of attention. Many people have commented on his post and asked him what kept him away doing these tasks while he was still in India. While others agreed and shared how they try to relax by indulging in simple activities. Here are some comments you cannot miss out on.
Was anything stopping you from doing those when you were not in the US?
— saketh (Faye Wong admirer) (@headisaradio) May 7, 2024
Enough manual work in India if we want
What keeps you from doing this in India?
— Harely XVI (finwizz.live) (@xvi_harley) May 7, 2024
Didn’t had to move to US to do that 🤡
— abe (@abx7060) May 7, 2024
Well, somehow this feels less of empowerment and more of “majboori” because of high cost household support staff. 🤦♂️
— Akash Agrawal (@AkashAgrawal_1) May 7, 2024
U could have done all those things back in India but u chose not to 😂
— Mumbai Ninja (@MumbaiNinja) May 7, 2024
After some time when all tasks becomes same no much challenges and life get monotonus
— iamSK (@iamSK_999) May 8, 2024
You could do so if those in India, US or anywhere. Go on a Trek, or a long drive, cook, clean, draw, paint, etc etc
— NeoNeanderthal (@NeanderthalNeo) May 7, 2024
is there a rule in India which states that you can’t do the above in India?
— Siddharth (Taylor’s Version) (@siddharthx33) May 7, 2024
I’m sorry what stopped you from cooking, washing, vacuuming etc. in India?
— Jiteen Khera (@jiteenkhera) May 7, 2024
Most of the therapists suggests to be occupied to have good mental health….but it can be anywhere…India or US doesn’t matter. Attitude matters
— Pushpa S (@s0103_s) May 8, 2024
Some even had a few questions to help understand what other factors could have led to his improved mental health.
Where did you move from/to?
What is the difference in your commute?
How about AQI levels?
How much greenery do you see daily?
How easy/hard is managing your chores now?
What is your work life like compared to before?I’d like to understand the delta across parameters.
— Arnold Mascarenhas (@arnoldmasci) May 7, 2024
A few even shared what helped them calm their overworked minds and relax for some time.
Me when I spent a few days assembling my pc.
— spazz (@arapirilous) May 7, 2024
I swear!! I’ve been cooking all my meals myself in prep for usa later this year. I made dosa for the first time today and it felt so good!! All food you cook tastes at least 5x better than the one that you get easily, call it fruits of your labor or stg 😇
— Rajat Garg (@Rajatgarg2109) May 7, 2024
Agree! Although it’s just my personal experience and might not apply to everyone, moving to a new country and living alone felt surprisingly natural to me, contrary to my own concerns. Ig living independently anywhere really makes you feel like you’re in the driver’s seat of life
— Dhanush (@iDhanoosh) May 7, 2024
being physically busy is important for all genders esp these days when technology has taken away so much off running around physically from going to sites to pay bills make purchases etc all done digitally so the physical aspect of moving around has reduced to detriment of mind.
— Gmichael (@Gmichae94669873) May 8, 2024
Everytime, I am upset or anxious or just mind going gaga, I go to the kitchen and make myself a smoothie or an omellete or start watering my plants. Working with hands or any home chores are second biggest mental health improver after working out, I feel.
— Abhilasha Purwar (@AbhilashaPurwar) May 7, 2024
Yes exactly..
Busy hands quite mind…..— Annshhhh (@lifeofansh) May 7, 2024
From what we understand, it was the fact that Abhirath was able to keep himself busy and do things other than work that helped him improve his mental health. What are your two cents on this? Let us know in the comments.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva & X/@AbhirathB
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