Making an effort to ensure our day to day lives are as stress-free as possible is an important part of our health, happiness, and wellness. There are many different ways of reducing stress but one that is so often overlooked is the process of preparing a good meal. Whether we are cooking for our entire family or just a nice lunch for ourselves, cooking can be therapeutic.
Today we will be examining the therapeutic powers of cooking- from how it works to why it makes us feel so good. As it turns out, cooking may just be the recipe to a healthy mind and body!
Serving Up Some Culinary Therapy
If you are an avid cook, it is very likely that you’ve noticed the therapeutic powers of time spent crafting a delicious meal in the kitchen. There’s something incredibly comforting about the opportunity that cooking gives us to express our creativity and do something that is truly for us. This is so true, in fact, that something called culinary therapy has even begun to be used effectively as treatment at a number of mental health clinics in combating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and eating disorders.
So what does culinary therapy involve? Most forms of culinary therapy encompass cooking (and its related activities) under the supervision of a professional chef and/or therapist.
This allows patients the chance to effectively learn about diet and nutrition and to develop a healthy relationship with food overall. While culinary therapy is a specific form of therapy now being used to help those with mental and behavioral disorders, the act of cooking also provides a variety of benefits to those not suffering from specific conditions such as:
- Stress relief
- Sensory awareness
- Balance and coordination
- Improved physical health
- Enhanced time management skills
- Improved focus
- Boredom relief
- Improved self-esteem
Cooking and Mindfulness
Cooking is a very effective way of practicing mindfulness. When we are focused upon the tasks associated with cooking our favorite meal, we find ourselves fully within a moment.
Let’s say that you’re peeling a potato for a stew, for example. You can practice mindfulness by observing the potato’s skin with your senses, taking note of the texture, color, and smell. This type of a mindful practice has been shown to be beneficial to our overall sense of well-being, health, and happiness.
When we focus on the moment this way when cooking, we aren’t giving our attention to ruminating over the negative aspects of our lives or worrying about the events of the future. Check this awesome eBook for Mindful Meals
The Science Behind Therapeutic Cooking
A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology in 2016 focused around how small, creative projects like cooking or baking could make people feel happier and more relaxed in their everyday lives stands as a testament to the link between cooking and health and wellness.This study followed 658 people for a period of two weeks and examined their activities. When the participants of the study took part in a creative process like cooking, they were observed to have been more enthusiastic about the pursuits of the following day. Why is this?
Well, as is the case with many mindfulness practices, cooking creates a greater awareness of the present moment. This effectively reduces negative effects like rumination and improves our overall levels of vitality and wellness.
Cooking is also a very important part of our self-care practices. When you’re cooking a meal for yourself (or those you care for), you’re making a conscious effort to care for yourself. These are all important factors when it comes to our overall positive perception of our day to day lives and the world around us.
Do you need help to integrate this practice to your life? Click here!
Get Cooking!
It’s important to find the things that you love to do in life and allow yourself time to enjoy them. In the busy hustle and bustle of everyday life, many of us don’t allow ourselves this important time.
Luckily, cooking is something of a necessary process for all of us and it can be used to not only care for ourselves but to improve our health and happiness.
Next time you’re preparing a meal, think about how you feel and enjoy the moment. You’ll be doing yourself a lot of good!