Did you know that baking can help with stress relief, anxiety reduction, and even reduce depression symptoms? The question is, why does baking improve your mood? It’s not just about getting to eat something tasty at the end (although that is certainly a bonus). A big part is also played by psychology. If you’ve been baking more or have been thinking about giving it a try, here are some reasons why we think that’s a great idea.
You Can Express Yourself
Baking is a form of self-expression that can help you feel less stressed, just like any other creative activity. A recipe is just a recipe until a baker makes it, giving it a little bit of their love, passion, and creativity. Baking can even be used as a way to communicate when words don’t seem to be enough. It can show love, appreciation, thanks, and even grief.
You Get To Be Creative
Studies show that doing small creative things on a regular basis can help you feel calmer, happier and more excited about life. Creativity can also make you feel like you’re growing as a person. You can express your creativity in any way you want, and baking is a great example.
It’s true that you do need to closely follow a recipe when you bake anything – just one small error in measurement can cause the entire bake to come out wrong. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still be creative; think of the different flavors you can combine or the decorations you can add. You can even use a Christmas.PYO.stencil to make something that you not only get to be creative when making, but everyone else can be creative when eating too.
It Helps You Practice Mindfulness
We have all heard of the word “mindfulness.” Simply put, being mindful means paying attention to what you see, hear, feel, and do. Mindfulness exercises have been shown to make people happier and less stressed, so it makes sense that baking is the best way to practice being mindful.
When measuring, working with dough, tasting, and following a recipe, you have to pay close attention. Because you have to pay attention, this can help ease anxiety, depression, stress, and other feelings. Instead of getting stuck in an unhealthy mental loop, you’re paying attention to what’s right in front of you.
It’s An Act Of Generosity
Giving makes us feel warm and happy. There’s nothing like baking for other people, and one of the best feelings is seeing the look on their faces when they realize you made their favorite recipe. It’s a surefire way to show love and get it back. Sharing food with the people you care about makes you feel closer to them and more like a part of a community, especially when you don’t do it for yourself. These kinds of things could make you feel better, help you deal with stress, and make you feel closer to other people.
As you can see, there are many reasons why baking can help you feel good. Always having a few basic ingredients in the house is an excellent idea; if you ever feel down, try baking some cookies or a cake and see how much better you feel when you’re done.
