This Is Why Cooking Is Better Than Therapy

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Cooking isn’t for everyone, but maybe it should be. For some, the kitchen is a sanctuary and for others, it’s just a place to eat. Cooking can be a stress reliever at any skill level. An article by the Wall Street Journal discusses how therapists are treating depression, anxiety and other psychological conditions with cooking. Cooking and baking fall into a type of behavioral therapy. The idea is that cooking boosts positive activity, increases goal-oriented behavior and hinders procrastination and passive tendencies.

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A prime example of how cooking brings peace and calm is higlighted in Britain’s top show, The Great British Bake Off. The show follows twelve amateur bakers on their quest to become the U.K.’s best baker. Renowned British bakers Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood judge the contestants on their baking and pastry skills. The show has been inspiring people since its start and an even wider audience since Netflix adopted it. The whole experience of watching talented people practice their craft is pretty damn enjoyable. If you’re a foodie, there’s a total sense of calm that comes over you when you’re watching the show.

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The Great British Bake Off can teach us about the concept of flow, which according to psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, is described as an “ecstatic state of deep concentration that occurs when we are truly and deeply engaged by a task.” There’s really nothing else on TV that’s as wholesome, serene, emotional, hilarious and lighthearted. Don’t forget you’re actually learning how to navigate the world of baking at the same time.

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Cooking reqires your full undivided attention. You have to be present and part ways with technology to be successful. You can’t get distracted by staring into space or pondering your life choices.  It requires you to think on your toes, be creative and resourceful, as well as make quick judgments. Your plate is a blank canvas where you can create anything you want. Chopping, kneading, stirring and whisking are all meditative activities that’ll give your mind a rest.

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You have a certain sense of control when you’re in the kitchen. The ingredients, and what you choose to do with them, is all entirely up to you. Make your dish as sweet or salty as you like, add all of the cheese or use all super healthy alternatives you’ve always wanted to try. There’s something so gratifying about having a craving and being able to satisfy it without anyone else’s help. In a world run by the need for instant gratification, cooking is one of the best examples.