There are times that cooking feels like the most boring thing in the world – creating another meal after a long day.
Yet, cooking and baking can bring us so many happy moments, and even mental health benefits. Cooking and baking – like art – can be used in a therapeutic way. Cooking allows for more exploration than baking – but in the end both bring you something nourishing and rewarding.
Something that is often an issue is that with mental health can come appetite and hunger issues. Being too hungry or not hungry at all. However, creating something healthy and nutritious can mean you don’t pile on the guilt after. Of course, being in the kitchen is more enjoyable in one of these kitchen design styles! Until then, do your best to start with a clean preparation area.
Losing yourself in the recipe, taking time to hand knead the dough, tasting all of the delights as you go – it’s all part of it.
Rewards
There are some recipes that don’t pose an issue for most people, and then there are some that take a lot of skill. The more skilled the recipe the more likely it is you will need to take a few tries to make it correctly.
That is part of the fun, but what happens at the end is rewarded with something delicious and conquered that problematic technique.
Humans are pretty simple, and we work very well when there are rewards to be had. Rewards give us happiness and motivation, and that can translate into other areas of life.
The actions you took resulted in something in the end.
Peace
If you’re cooking with a houseful of people, noise isn’t the most relaxing; it is when you do it alone. You can take your time and even pretend you are in a cooking show on TV if you want to.
Put your favorite music on in the background – or have complete silence; it’s all up to you! According to some therapists, cooking takes us into a calm state and gives us that feeling of ‘being in the zone .’ After the cooking session, it remains for a while.
A flow of activity and processing information comes with cooking, and many people find it very beneficial.
Good For Others
While there is a delicious joy in cooking something for yourself, cooking for others brings a new element. Cooking and baking have long been a way to bond with friends and family. However, a quick oven dinner isn’t likely to have the same mental impact as cooking from scratch.
When the people you have cooked for will smile and make those appealing ‘mmmmm tasty!’ noises, you know you have done an excellent job. They will enjoy the food and appreciate how much time and care went into creating it for them.
Nourishing those around you with good food every once in a while can be one of the most worthwhile pursuits and the ticket to a bit of pop of happiness.
Are you looking for more ways (including cooking) to connect with your family members? Read more: Fun Things To Do With Your Kids When It Rains.
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