Can washing dishes really be good for you? Can we discover a moment of insight, a wave of calm, a tickle of delight or a tingle of connection within our simple, readily available everyday routine? Without needing to alter our entire lifestyle, can we unearth a fresh way in, hidden inside the daily and seemingly mundane? How might we flip our thinking away from resisting and towards maybe even relishing the washing up, the cleaning and the cooking? What might this do for our body, our mind and our relationships?

One everyday activity at a time, artists, designers, writers, psychologists and speakers share their stories and experiences of the everyday. You will hear of family bonding over the washing up, wondrous rituals with a cup of tea and the creation of playful households.

So, yes, we are suggesting that washing dishes can be good for you. In fact, even more than good for you! It can be liberating, relaxing, creative and healing. These ideas are deeply embedded in some of the world's most ancient wisdom. Here, we simply explore how this way of thinking can very easily become part of our daily doing.

'Department Store for the Mind' is the exciting new creative venture by Sophie Howarth, co-founder of the School of Life. It is a place to explore the world inside your head: a vast and unique terrain of thoughts, ideas, emotions and memories.

Each book offers stories and ideas about creating daily habits that are kind to the mind, whether through our connection with nature, our creativity or everyday tasks, or simply knowing and feeling more accepting of ourselves. The books stretch the mind and soul, so that we may colour outside of the lines, experience the moments of wonder that are right there in front of us and occasionally venture out of our safe harbours.