Baking is Good for your Mental Health
Tuesday 8th August
Now the new season of the Great British Bake Off (GBBO) has started we wanted to bring you some savory (and sweet) tips about why baking can be good for your mental health. Baking can allow you the opportunity to indulge in all of your senses - Sight, Smell, Taste, Touch and Hearing.
A melody of these experiences can allow you to be mindful in the moment ascending to a state of euphoria driven by the sweet tasting gorgeous treats you have prepared, along with the celebration of a successfully executed recipe whilst watching people enjoy what you have prepared and hearing them take pleasure in every mouthful. Being mindful in the moment, rising to the challenge, getting tingly excitement when you peer through the oven door, tap a well done bottom, see your fondant ooze is something that the nation is prepared for. Why not bake along with the contestants re-create the experiences of trying something new, celebrating when things go just right, pulling together when things don’t quite go right and taking stock of how you can do better next time...there is always a next time and focusing on how to improve, receive feedback from others and be confident that you did your best are things that are transferable to things that we do in everyday work and life.
We could say when you bake you live, you free yourself from the worries of work and life, you allow yourself to get drawn into a moment that can provide laughter, success, happiness and tears of joy. What's your focus? Avoiding the soggy bottom, making sure your bread rises or making sure the you get through the process without a hitch....? But we know baking (and life) isn’t like that. IPRS Health are not stating that there is scientific research to support the suggestion that baking helps to make you feel better (however, there is some evidence to demonstrate the link between being creative and being happy), but like other hobbies and activities, baking can be therapeutic and you can be assured that taking part in pleasurable activities, making time for yourself, trying something new and celebrating success, is positive for your mental health.The Great British Bake Off starts again tonight (Tuesday 28th August) on Channel 4 at 8.00pm. Several of our employees are keen fans of the TV, so follow us on Twitter to read discussions between our staff during episodes of #GBBO. « Back to News & Blog