The medicine for mental health

Dec 7, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Mar 1, 2022

In my experience, during lockdown I became a hermit, I didn't want to leave my room, I had a short temper and I wasn't very happy. After watching a cooking show with my mum I decided to try it out and I haven't looked back since. I was convinced at first that everything had to look like these professional bakers with years of experience bakes even thought I had just picked it up which is unrealistic. When I finally relaxed into it I felt a sense of relief.

"Cooking and baking is both physical and mental therapy"- Mary Berry

How does baking help with mental health? "Baking, according to psychologists, triggers our senses of smell, touch, taste and then, finally seeing our end result. They say having something tangible to show for your work will bring a feeling of accomplishment" I think after the tough two years we have had, feeling accomplished from even the littlest things could benefit us massively.

For people with depression or anxiety, the main thing is them feeling no control or power over it. Baking can be seen as form of meditation as they can take control back for a moment and have their mind be free. Baking offers repetition which is again good for people who may need structure as baking has an order. I also helps with stress as kneading, mixing, measuring, shaping, rolling and decorating is a healthy way to reduce it. It increases a feeling of wellbeing.

connections

Baking can also help with forming or strengthening connections. For me personally, it strengthened my relationship with my family. I found myself cooking with my mum laughing, baking with my sister bonding and picking out recipes with my dad for us to cook. I connected with them through baking and I suggest that other teens who are in their own slump to as well. I also found myself opening up more, going out for walks, playing board games and letting go with my family. I found that baking had started to clear my loud and jumbled brain which allowed me to make space for family and friends. Before, I wasn't social and wasn't willing to be but now day by day, I feel lighter. It's okay if it takes you time, my baking journey over the last few years has been slow but vital which I am very thankful for.

Online connections

You can also make new friends and have new opportunities. By making my baking Instagram I made friends with other bakers and from that received new tips and recipes! I found myself articulating myself better and relaxing when I talked which is a massive contrast from before. I never thought that baking would help with my confidence but it seems to have drastically. I have people on email or Instagram telling me how they have made their sister's birthday or brightened their grandpa's day by making him something home-made which is the best news I could ever receive. Even if you don't want to become a professional baker or have an Instagram page for it, it can still bring you and the ones you love so much joy.

“I finally felt all my baggage slowly disappear and I started to enjoy the moment.”