After a tough day of work, you can often feel like just ordering takeout or throwing something easy into the microwave (or, in my case, air fryer). However, if you do cook for yourself, you can get something healthier to eat and ease some of your stress. Cooking can be a great way to ease stress. Instead of thinking of cooking as a chore, see it as something fun to do to relieve your stress.
Love Of Food
Most people love food. Food is a great way to connect people. After all, when we meet up with people, we usually meet over some kind of food and drinks. If you love food, the best way to explore your love is to get into the kitchens and try out some new recipes. When you enjoy food, you’ll focus on making good food, which can distract you from negative thoughts.
Aromas and Stress
The spices and other aromatic ingredients in the food you cook can also help to battle stress. When you cook something that smells good, like bacon or this delicious and easy caramel sauce, you will concentrate on the good smells. Think of it as aromatherapy, except with food.
While the effectiveness of aromatherapy is still being studied, it is thought that aromas can lower the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. There are some different ways to use aroma for stress relief, like perfumes and aroma massage, but food is a natural way to do it.
Test Your Creativity
Cooking is an art and a creative outlet. When you’re following a recipe, you want to achieve the best results you can. This is why you try different recipes. Cooking is a creative thing to do. For example, if you’re making meatballs for the family, you might want to experiment with a different flavor or a different shape than you have tried before.
When you’re being creative, you put a lot of thought and care into preparing food, which will make you feel better.
Cooking For Others Makes You Happy
When you cook for people you love, it makes you feel happy. Whether you’re cooking with them in the kitchen or are outside grilling together, it can make you happy. If you’re cooking for friends and family, you will be looking for ways to enhance the flavors as much as you can to keep your loved ones happy and impress them with your skills.
When you’re cooking for others, you’re occupied, with less time to focus on stress. Having your loved ones around you, and getting compliments on your cooking will make you feel happier than you did too.
Show Off Your Skills
Once you’ve got good at cooking, it can be really fun to show off your new skills to your friends and family. If you’re stressed, having your skills validated and complemented can help to soothe your stress.
Everyone feels better about themselves when they’re being validated. Even if you are only cooking for yourself, preparing something delicious will make you feel good.
