Ready, steady, cook: 5 reasons to get cooking

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Food glorious food.
Whether you are savoury crazy or have a serious sweet-tooth, food is something we all need.
Did you know that there are a number of surprising emotional benefits to cooking? From a channel for mindfulness to acting as a creative outlet, the act of cooking nourishes your mind, body, and soul.

Self-care through nourishment

Cooking is essentially an act of self-care at its most basic and most nourishing. When we take time to cook for ourselves, we are creating space to make sustenance for our bodies.
Allowing it to feel nourished and providing it with the right ingredients to thrive.
The benefits of cooking and setting aside dedicate time to consume this goodness are significant and should not be undervalued.
By doing so, you are sending a clear message to your mind and body that you are important and you deserve a delicious meal. 🍲

In addition to this, it has been found that cooking can also help increase ones self-esteem and confidence.
Studies indicate that 95% of our serotonin (the hormone that helps us regulate mood, sleep, and appetite) is produced in our gastrointestinal tracts. The nutrition we consume doesn’t only have a negative or positive impact on our physical health but also, our mental wellbeing.
We’re prepping our vegetables as we speak!

A little sprinkle of Altruism

Did you know that when you cook a delicious meal for your loved ones, you are simultaneously nourishing your own soul? Cooking can be a gateway for connecting with others. This act of altruism can make you feel closer to the special people in your life. Ultimately, increasing your levels of happiness.

Whether it’s for a special occasion or simply wishing to show affection, cooking is a great vehicle to show that you care. Producing positive endorphins for everyone tucking into your tasty meal.

In addition to this, receiving positive feedback helps in making you happy, increasing your mood and confidence. 😊

Get those creative juices flowing

Believe it or not, cooking can act as an excellent outlet for creativity. When you cook at home, you have the opportunity to experiment, trying out different techniques, dishes or even ingredients. This allows you to learn how each element plays a role in the final dish. It serves as a motivation to get even more creative! It is a vessel for self-expression and creativity, as you pair different flavours, colours, and spices.

If you are hoping to whip up a treat for your sweet tooth, why not try baking. There is a significant amount of creativity involved in the art of baking. From the flavours to the decorations, allowing you to express yourself.
According to the 2016 Journal of Positive Psychology, regularly practising simple creative acts, such as baking, can lead to more positive psychological functioning.
This is due to its repetitive nature, including rolling and kneading. As this has a therapeutic effect that calms the central nervous system and connects to the part of the brain that accesses creativity and imagination. We’re ready to swap our paintbrushes for pipping bags!

A spoonful of calm

Do you ever experience a wave of calmness after doing some cooking?
Well, you are not alone!
Cooking can often feel like meditation. It encourages you to be present and focus on what is happening at that moment. Not only does it ground your attention but also help to minimise distraction.
As if you lose focus, things can burn, overheat or spillover.

Cooking is a great way to mediate if you struggle with traditional methods of mediation. It keeps the mind busy while drawing your focus on reality. Why not start by following a simple recipe. This will allow the process to encourage calm and won’t trigger any sense of anxiety.

Time to reward yourself

Cooking is a great way to feel a sense of achievement.
Because once the act has been completed, you have something tangible to show for your efforts. Producing something delicious that you or others can physically enjoy acts as a good reward for being productive. Moreover, your actions and hard work result in something real, giving you a strong and positive sense of accomplishment.  Producing something tangible is actually a reward-based activity which can be used to curb procrastination with positive behaviour.

So here’s a challenge for you. Get your apron and give this simple recipe from our Chef at Constance Belle Mare Plage a try!

Time to heat up the oven!

Do you like to cook? Were the cookies delicious?
Let us know in the comments below!

Keep memories fresh and hope for a sunnier day with #ConstanceWithU

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