Photo by Max Delsid on Unsplash
With all of this increased free time at home due to the pandemic, self-care is more important than ever. Cooking is a self-care method I have used to reduce my anxiety. Otherwise, I have too much time to think!
In fact, reports show there are correlations between cooking abilities and mental health. For some people, cooking can be a cause of anxiety, so it may not be for everybody. If it interests you, here are some ways it can be used as a tool.
Mindfulness
The act of cooking requires mindfulness and can be a meditation practice. The focus on the task at hand can keep your mind off of the stressors around you. I find that chopping vegetables is a good way to keep my mind on the task at hand. It can be hard to slice a carrot with your mind on work or the news podcast you listened to earlier.
If you’re new to trying this, here is a mindfulness cooking exercise you can try. I find that leaving my phone in the other room and putting on some music helps me get in the zone. Sometimes, when I’m prepping for a meal, hours can go by and I won’t even notice.
Creative Outlet
Much like journaling, cooking is a creative outlet. When I was first starting out, it was a total disaster. As a writer, I am familiar with the trial and error process, which I have definitely experienced on my cooking journey.
Accomplishment
I know we are all struggling to stay productive throughout the day, and it’s tough. I find that if I can check in with myself and say that I cooked a meal, that can be enough. Even planning out the meal and getting ingredients can give a sense of satisfaction. You took the time to cook a meal, and you ate a vegetable? Great job! That’s enough for today.
Cooking has given me something to focus on that is right in front of me. Reading the news and staying up to date can be overwhelming, and doing an activity that is immediate takes my mind off of it.
Tips for if You’re Just Starting Out:
- Pop on a YouTube cooking channel
- Start with simple recipes
- Use a pressure cooker or slow cooker
- Try one-pot meals for less mess
When I first started out, I didn’t know what I was doing. I was asking friends questions and researching everything online. I wanted to make sure I was doing everything perfectly. The trial and error process also helped me with other areas of my life. So, what if I burnt the chicken? It’s not the end of the world. If you choose to add cooking to the self-care routine, I hope you enjoy it.
