These continue to be difficult times for everyone. COVID-19 has changed the way many of us live. During the pandemic the entire country was staying home and feeling isolated. The uncertainty of what the future held had many people filled with stress, fear, and anxiety. And now whenever we hear about a COVID outbreak we tend to isolate our families.
Did you know that studies that show how spending time in the kitchen can be helpful in making one feel better?
For those looking for a happier time, research has shown that spending time in the kitchen can relieve stress and anxiety. According to Smithsonian Magazine, anyone in need of lifted spirits should consider warming up the oven.
Creative expression is closely related to overall well-being. Baking and cooking is not only a creative activity, it also communicates good feelings, generates happy thoughts, and can remove stress and anxiety. Cooking for one’s self has the additional reward of being able to eat what you’ve made, the way you like it; however, cooking for others may have an even greater benefit for you personally.
Carol May, CEO of Wisdom Natural Brands adds, “At the heart of baking and cooking for yourself or loved ones is the very definition of giving. That process can increase a feeling of well-being; sharing with others can even increase that feeling.”
There’s much written about the connection between creative expression and overall well-being. Julie Ohana, a licensed clinical social worker, told the Huffington Post, “In many cultures, in many countries, food really is an expression of love, and it’s actually beautiful because it’s something we really all relate to.” Baking and cooking for others creates a connection and gives the pleasure of making a positive contribution to the world in which we live.
According to Psychology Today, it isn’t our circumstance that defines our life, but rather what is within us and how we allow that experience to impact us. A simple analogy: boiling water will soften a potato, but the same boiling water will harden an egg. It is the same water that surrounds the food, but what’s inside the food determines the end result.
“Stress is related to a host of mental and physical problems and finding ways to cope is important to leading a healthy life,” says Susan Whitbourne, professor of psychology and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts. “Baking can be a helpful way to communicate one’s feelings.”
SweetLeaf can be a way to help lift spirits by offering recipes for simple meals, desserts, snacks, and beverages. Recipes can be found at: https://www.sweetleaf.com/stevia-recipes/ To shop products at home, go to: https://shopsweetleaf.com/.
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