I love cooking! If any of my friends heard me say that, they would be shocked. They would think someone had taken over my body and this was my cry for help. That is because this affection for cooking is a newfound one for me. It started last year when I spent some time with family from back home, Jamaica. My grand aunt showed me how to prepare some Jamaican dishes and she made it look so simple and fun. I enjoyed it so much that even after I came back to Japan, I still continued to cook. I have even been experimenting with certain dishes. Before now, I cooked only because I needed to eat but recently, I have been cooking because it’s fun and relaxing.
The human mind is a fragile thing. The constant negativity of living in a pandemic, as well as the constant societal and political issues that exist, can take their toll. It is therefore necessary for us to find ways to take control of our own happiness and mental health. There are many ways to relax. However, sometimes we become so busy and distracted by life that we don’t utilize them. That is why I’m happy to add cooking for relaxation to that list, because it’s something most of us do anyway.
Cooking offers so much more than just a (hopefully) delicious meal. According to WebMD, research shows that a nutritious diet isn't just good for the body, it is great for the mind as well. During our quarantine time, due to COVID 19, I think a lot of us discovered or rediscovered the joy of cooking. Well, that is if the constant social media food posts are any real indication. For some of us it was a good way to occupy our free time and also a distraction from the outside world.
The fact that restaurants were closed, and some still are, forced some of us into this position, while others made the choice voluntarily. Whatever the reason, we have been cooking. And it has been great. Psychology Today describes cooking as meditation with the promise of a good meal afterwards. In fact, recently, culinary therapy has been growing as a treatment in mental health clinics and therapist offices. It’s used as treatment for a wide range of mental and behavioral health conditions, such a depression, anxiety, eating disorders and ADHD.
It’s Beginner Friendly
First of all, full disclosure, I am by no measure a chef. In fact, I have always had a love- hate relationship with cooking. I loved the result of cooking i.e. I love food and I love eating it but disliked the process of cooking it. This is a result of my numerous attempts at cooking meals, that only ended up as complete failures. In fact, I have one particularly fond memory of the first time I ever cooked for a guy that I liked. It was a colossal failure. I remember after eating, we both fell into a deep silence, neither of us knowing what to say. Or maybe it was a moment of silence for our stomachs. Who knows? He was polite enough though not to mention it. Well, not until weeks later when the wound wasn’t as fresh, and we could both laugh about it.
Even now, I’m still not top chef material, but I have improved since then. I am also still on my journey to healthy eating and top-level cooking. It is about the journey not the destination after all. So, if you are a relative beginner to the cooking scene like me, then there’s room at the table for you too. And lots of hope. There are also a number of benefits to cooking your own meals and today I’ll list some of them.
Builds a Strong Mind
We all know the advantages of a healthy diet on our bodies. These benefits include weight loss, reduced cancer risk, diabetes management, heart health, strong bones and an overall stronger body. Just to name a few. Along with those, studies in psychiatry has shown that a healthy diet can have a beneficial effect on our mental health. According to psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD, an assistant clinical professor at Columbia University, “diet is potentially the most powerful intervention we have. By helping people shape their diets, we can improve their mental health and decrease their risk of psychiatric disorders.”
When we cook for ourselves, we can choose healthier ingredients that nourishes our bodies and minds. Foods such as nuts and seeds are rich in amino acids, which helps to sustain brain function, including memory storage. Salmon is also said to improve memory because of its high omega 3 content. Omega 3 is also considered to be a mood stabilizer which is something we could all gain from.
Cooking also gives our brain a little exercise. Have you ever noticed how we can sometimes remember recipes from our childhood or from some time ago? Well, this seemingly small act can help to keep our mind active and healthy.
Relaxing
Cooking can be quite relaxing. Sometimes life gets overwhelming. So, I need an escape and I find that when I cook a meal, it keeps me calm. I can follow a simple recipe and retreat into the process of creating it. The basic acts of washing, cutting and putting ingredients in a pot or pan, gives me a chance to do something that doesn’t require deep thinking while also distracting me from more serious concerns. In that moment, I’m focused on the simple process of preparing a good meal. This process puts me in a good mood. Then when I achieve a tasty meal, I feel even more accomplished.
Sense of control
Cooking is one way of bringing order to the chaos that is our lives at times. Or a way to bring order to our thoughts if we are feeling overwhelmed for any reason. Cooking provides us with a sense of control, even if it is only for a moment. This is also one of the reasons some psychiatrists recommend cooking to patients who suffer from anxiety or depression. It gives them a chance to accomplish a goal that they have set for themselves. It’s a short-term goal, so you can see the results of that labor fairly quickly. This provides validation that we are still in control of our lives.
Being able to choose one’s own dish and prepare it to our own taste, is another form of control. After you choose your dish. You can follow a specific recipe or adjust it to your liking. This is where your creativity comes into play.
Creativity
In cooking usually there are specific recipes that you follow with set measurements. This usually helps to get just the right flavor or outcome. But it isn’t the only way to achieve that perfect taste. You can stray from the formula and do your own thing when inspiration hits. The idea of playing it by ear can be appealing and fun. Choose ingredients that you love, play around with them and just have fun in the kitchen. Cook according to your own preference. You can add a bit of salt or a selection of spices if needed, or none at all… hopefully though, you don’t go that route. But either way, you can be creative with your choices. Let the culinary artist in you shine.
Conclusion
Cooking as therapy might sound strange, but on some level, I think we have all been enjoying its therapeutic benefits. The next time you’re cooking dinner, take note of that certain calm that settles over you when you’re preparing a familiar meal. Or the next time you’re gathered with friends, soak in the communal spirit that overtakes you when you see your family and friends enjoy the food that you took your time to make for them. Or just enjoy the simple aroma that fills your nostrils when your ingredients simmer together to achieve that perfect aromatic blend. Notice how that aroma brings everyone to the kitchen. Yet, still these do not compare to the ultimate culminating point; when that scrumptious taste greets your tongue, and you finally taste the fruits of your own labor. And you taste that it is good. If that isn’t therapy to the soul, I’m not sure what is.
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