With mental health now a major concern worldwide, it is also the subject of a great deal of scientific research into new strategies for combating stress and anxiety. And now, an eBay survey of 2,000 adults in the United Kingdom suggests that the simplest – and perhaps unexpected – daily activities can be effective ways to relax.

The survey reports that respondents allow themselves 10 moments of relaxation a day, with a third of people saying they have fewer stress-free moments today than they did three years ago. One in two respondents say they would like to have more periods of calm in their lives.

When it comes to the everyday activities or household chores that respondents consider relaxing, making a cup of tea or coffee (49%) tops the list as the most popular way to destress. Much more surprisingly, almost a third of the sample (31%) cited watering plants and weeding as two effective ways to relax.

Some of the results are even more surprising: more than a quarter of respondents (28%) say hanging out laundry is a moment of wellbeing that can help them unwind, while 26% are more inclined to mow the lawn, and 25% to fold laundry or vacuum.

Other unusual activities include ironing (23%), going to the supermarket (20%), working on the car (18%), administrative tasks (14%), sorting trash (13%), watching the washing machine run (13%), grating cheese (12%), or mashing potatoes (10%).

It’s worth noting that 6% of respondents say they find building flatpack furniture relaxing, despite this activity often being viewed as a source of stress.

While the survey may sound lighthearted, it reveals that more than half of respondents (56%) say they find household chores more relaxing than meditation or yoga.

This can be explained by the fact that respondents are looking for activities that require no thought (53%), which they consider more conducive to calm; and also by respondents’ view that activities that are stress-free are also those that save them money (37%).