Have you ever seen those videos on social media platforms with easy-to-make meals? It is highly likely you have seen at least one of them, given their growing popularity in recent years. And then it is sure you have also noticed how incredibly delicious and tasty everything looks.
So, why not try some yourself?
Indeed, if you are an amateur in the kitchen or don’t really like cooking that much, this may not sound like a fun activity. However, it is essential to know that cooking can be extremely therapeutic and the type of home activity that can be a lot of fun. The key is not to put any pressure on yourself. Whether you are entirely inexperienced or not, it is vital to acknowledge you are not a professional chef. Hence, there is no reason to set any unrealistic expectations for yourself.
Simply pick a few simple recipes at first, depending on the level of experience you have and how much you enjoy cooking, and just have fun with them. Whether alone or with a friend or family member, doing this can be highly beneficial for you and hugely therapeutic. Cooking at home is good for your physical as well as mental health, given that you have better control over what and how you eat, and you do this in a relaxed way. As we said, do not put any pressure on yourself. Even if something goes wrong and you mistake salt for sugar, you can always try again!
So, if you are struggling with your mental health, it is of the utmost importance to create a healthy routine and introduce various activities that make good habits. Cooking could be one of them, and here’s why this can be so beneficial for you:
It helps you create a healthy routine.
Having a healthy and balanced routine in your life is of the utmost importance. Whether you struggle with mental health or not so much, this remains utterly necessary, as it can help you navigate through life better. With work, studying, or any other responsibilities you may have as an adult, it is perfectly understandable if you start feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and mentally and physically tired.
For this reason, creating a routine that works for you and helps you find a balance between professional and personal life is highly essential. Cooking is an excellent way of accomplishing this, given that it is an activity that requires discipline, a bit of time, and commitment.
And who knows, you may even discover a new passion. Plus, you don’t have to start with complicated recipes just yet. You should take it to step by step.
You can start a more balanced diet.
Cooking at home helps you create a better relationship with food. Because you start cooking in your home, you will be using fresh ingredients, which automatically translates into better nutrition. There is no denying that good nutrition equals good health, both physical and mental, as they are closely linked one to another. Therefore, cooking can help you start a more balanced diet, which will also support your healthy routine.
Not only can cooking improve your diet, but learning this skill, especially if you are a novice cook, will also improve your confidence considerably. So, there is no doubt of the benefits of learning this activity and doing it more and more can have positive effects and benefit your mental health.
An effective way of relieving stress.
As mentioned earlier, cooking and learning how to cook can have significant positive effects on your mood, improving your diet, boosting your confidence levels, and benefitting both your mental and physical health in the process. But it can also relieve any stress you may feel.
If you have always seen cooking as a chore, chances are you see this activity as tiring. However, if you change your perspective a bit and start cooking some delicious yet simple meals you have always wanted to try after seeing them on social media, it is highly likely you will learn to love this. Cooking is an activity that demands your attention, as you will be chopping ingredients, stirring, using various kitchen appliances, and so on.
Therefore, it can effectively take your mind off things and help you focus more on what you have to do. Slowing down is highly recommended, and many medical providers, such as psychologists and psychiatrists, suggest you take some time off, learn a new skill, find a hobby, anything that can bring you joy and a bit of peace of mind.
It can give you a sense of accomplishment.
It is a fact that setting achievable and realistic goals with positive rewards is highly beneficial for you. Many mental health professionals emphasize the importance of this. For this reason, if you struggle with your mental health, it is also highly recommended to discuss it with a professional medical provider.
Suppose you find it challenging to commit to weekly and monthly physical sessions. In that case, you should consider using remote telehealth healthcare, as many mental health specialists offer their services online as well. So, whether you need telemedicine psychiatry or psychology support, there are many healthcare professionals you can get in touch with.
These specialists point out that seeing the results and improvements of a particular activity or hobby can give you a sense of accomplishment which is highly beneficial for you. Cooking is an excellent example of that because you can set short-term and achievable goals without putting pressure on yourself. Seeing how you can accomplish these goals is incredibly rewarding, increasing your confidence as well.
It can nurture your creative skills.
Cooking is a creative activity. Indeed, there is also a great need for organization in the kitchen, given that you need to have a well-established plan of required ingredients and how to use them. But cooking can definitely nurture your creative skills. This is highly beneficial. A Journal of Positive Psychology study points out that individuals are happier when they do creative activities.
Cooking is one example of such valuable creative pursuit. So, apart from the fact that it can increase your confidence levels, it can also boost your creativity, a skill that is so useful in many areas of life, from work to family life and personal ones. Not to mention that cooking can also help you (re)connect with your loved ones, improving the social aspect of your life.