How many times have we seen movies and television shows that feature people who are dealing with loss or stress all of a sudden go into a baking frenzy? It turns out that studies show that baking contributes to an overall sense of well-being. Baking can be a form of therapy, helping to reduce stress hormones and providing a mindful activity that can distract from negative thoughts. “There’s a stress relief that people get from having some kind of an outlet and a way to express themselves,” said Donna Pincus, Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University. Baking is also a great way to practice mindfulness, because it requires you to focus on following very straightforward directions in a specific order. In other words, most of the decisions have already been made for you, allowing you to concentrate on the details while nudging your mind away from the stressors and anxieties of your life outside the kitchen. While you’re measuring and mixing ingredients, you’re probably visualizing how they’ll all come together to create a fulfilling final product, and deciding how and when you’ll share it with others. Sharing your desserts is another mood-booster, making you feel like you’ve done something good for the world.
