Traditional occupational therapies have been known for years to relieve many symptoms of depression and anxiety. Physical activities will help keep our body healthy which in turn can help combat depression and anxiety through the production and release of various endorphins. Projection activities such as painting or writing are used to project and transfer negative feelings onto a canvas or a notebook and create something positive from them.

Former Great British Bake-off winner John Whaite has been known to say that baking helps lift his depression, as it’s a way of channeling all the negative energy into creating something positive.

In recent years both mental health and culinary experts have come round to the idea that baking could very well be helpful in relieving the symptoms of anxiety and depression by combining the physical and projection aspects of the traditional occupational therapies. Kneading a batch of bread dough for 10/15 minutes will sure take away a lot of frustration and negative feeling, the weighing of the ingredients, the repetitive motions and the feeling of being in control could help keep calm and level up unruly anxiety feelings, decorating a cake, making beautiful artistic creations can mirror the feelings of projection people might experience when painting or writing.

And obviously let’s not forget that at the end we get to indulge in some great home bakes which would definitely put a smile on anyone’s face and share our creations with family and friends reclaiming those great positive feelings of nurturing and making someone else happy.

In fact, baking has been found to have therapeutic value which helps to ease depression and anxiety. And seeing that one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives, this wholesome therapy is good for the whole family. Here are five reasons why baking is good for mental health:

1. COOKING IS MEDITATIVE

Any activity which takes your whole attention – especially if it’s simple and repetitive – can have a calming, meditative quality. The process of weighing out butter and sugar, whisking eggs, beating and folding creates space in the mind, and eases negative thinking processes.

2. BAKING STIMULATES THE SENSES

The feel of the flour, the sound of the blender, and of course the smell of the delectable final product – all these experiences stimulate the senses, which in turn increases feel-good endorphins.

3. NOURISHING ACTIVITIES FEEL GOOD

Baking – and any sort of cooking or food preparation – is ultimately about nourishing ourselves and others. To internalize this benefit, make an effort to bring your whole awareness to the healthy ingredients and love that go into your baked goodies.

4. BAKING IS CREATIVE

Psychologists have found a strong connection between creative expression and overall wellbeing – so experiment with that recipe if you dare, and make that frosting the prettiest it can be.

5. MAKE OTHER PEOPLE HAPPY

One of the best things about baking is that you can give away your creations and make other people feel happy – which in turn puts a smile on your dial. It’s a win-win.

There’s no scientific research to explain why or how baking helps to make you feel better, and it’s certainly not a cure for depression. But it is therapeutic and it helps many people relieves the symptoms they feel inside. So why not try baking and discover what it can do to you.

By: Karen G. Mateo