1. Stress relief
Baking is an excellent activity for stress relief. Not only can you express your frustrations through your dough, but baking can also reduce stress hormones such as cortisol.
Baking falls under art and creative therapy, and a study conducted by Dace Visnola et al., 2010, found that engaging in art therapy is likely to impact stress levels and reduce cortisol levels.
Lowering stress hormones, such as cortisol, can also positively impact sleep, blood pressure, and the immune system, so there are physical and mental health benefits!
2. Enhance creativity
Baking is a great creative outlet, from experimenting with flavors to creating unique cake designs. Creative activity has also been shown to have positive mental health benefits.
658 participants took part in a 13-day study conducted by Tamlin S. Conner et al. in 2016. For each of the 13 days, participants reported how long they spent on creative activities, their positive and negative effects, and their flourishing.
Overall, results showed that daily partaking in creative activity led to higher positivity and flourishing.
3. Boost our mood
Baking is a great feel-good activity! Research has shown that individuals with a mental health diagnosis can benefit from baking therapy, whether a delicious chocolate cake or a mouth-watering sausage roll.
Some of the reasons that baking can improve our mood include the fact that it is an activity that requires focus and concentration, which can ensure we stay present in the moment. Following a recipe requires calmness and concentration, which can similarly affect mindfulness. Lowering our stress levels automatically makes us feel happier!
In addition, seeing and tasting the finished product after all our hard work is a great mood booster and can provide a sense of achievement!
4. Stimulate the senses
Following on from the point above, baking is an activity that stimulates all five of our senses – touch, smell, sight, sound, and taste. The sensory aspect of baking can be very therapeutic for many people.
The stimulation of all our senses can increase our appetite, which may be helpful for individuals with a lack of appetite as a symptom of depression or other mental health diagnoses.
5. Create and strengthen relationships
Another important mental health benefit of baking is that it can strengthen existing relationships and even lead to the formation of new friendships!
Baking together with family members or a friend is a lovely bonding experience and a perfect way to create new memories.
Alternatively, making a batch of cookies or cupcakes can be a great icebreaker to start new conversations, whether with neighbors or local businesses.
There are also many colleges or community centers that hold baking groups, classes, and workshops, which are great ways to learn new recipes and meet new people with similar interests!
According to the Mental Health Foundation statistics, individuals who are more socially connected to friends, family, and communities are happier and healthier and have fewer mental health problems than people who have less social interaction and connection.
6. Boost self-confidence
Preparing ingredients, measuring everything out, and following a recipe means that seeing and tasting the finished product is even better! This can lead to improved self-confidence due to the sense of achievement, similar to that of achieving a goal!
In a study published in 2016 by Lesley Haley and Elizabeth Anne McKay, the perspectives of 12 mental health service users engaging in baking were analyzed. The results found that providing service users opportunities to learn new skills and build confidence in producing an end product stimulated the individuals to attend the sessions.
Baking has many mental health benefits, so it's not that you needed one, but now you have a perfect excuse to bake a cake!
References
Dace Visnola, Dagmâra Sprûdþa, Mârîte Ârija Baíe, Anita Piíe, 2010. Effects of art therapy on stress and anxiety of employees.
Lesley Haley, Elizabeth Anne McKay, 2016. 'Baking Gives You Confidence': Users' Views of Engaging in the Occupation of Baking.
Tamlin S. Conner, Colin G. DeYoung, Paul J. Silvia, 2016. Everyday creative activity as a path to flourishing.
Zucchini-Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe
Healthy snack compliments of the Flannigans
Prep: 15 m
Cook: 10 m
Ready in: 50 m
Ingredients
3/4 C all-pupose flour
3/4 C whole wheat flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 C vegetable oil (can subsititue 1/4 C veg oil and 1/4 C apple sauce)
1/4 C milk
1 T lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 C shredded zucchini
1/2 C miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 C walnuts
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 12 muffin cups, or line with paper muffin liners
Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Mix egg, oil, milk, lemonjuice, and vanilla extract in a bowl; stir into dry ingredient until just moistened. Fold in zucchini, choclate chips, and walnuts. Fill preparedmuffin cups 2/3 full.
Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean. 20-25 minutes
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