50 Bakes That Prove Some People Are Basically Wizards With An Oven

You now might be wondering how a simple act of dumping a few ingredients together in a bowl and putting them in the oven has so many benefits. Well, psychologist Dr. Linda Blair says it might be because it engages all five of our senses, which in turn increases feel-good endorphins.

“When we bake, we can get in touch with all our senses—sight, taste, feeling, sound and, in particular, our sense of smell, which can reawaken happy memories that we wouldn’t have otherwise thought of.”

Baking is also considered a form of meditation and mindfulness. 

“Baking actually requires a lot of full attention. You have to measure, focus physically on rolling out dough. If you’re focusing on smell and taste, on being present with what you’re creating, that act of mindfulness in that present moment can also have a result in stress reduction,” associate professor of psychological and brain sciences at Boston University, Donna Pincus, told HuffPost. 

It allows us to express our creativity, too. “There’s a lot of literature for connection between creative expression and overall wellbeing,” Pincus explained. “Whether it’s painting or it’s making music [or baking], there is a stress relief that people get from having some kind of an outlet and a way to express themselves.”

Then there’s the finished product as well. “It's either going to have carbs like bread, or it's going to have sweetness like candies and cookies," said Vaile Wright, senior director of health care innovation for the American Psychological Association. "We know those have a neurobiological aspect where they trigger parts of our brain that then trigger happy feelings."

Even if your bakes don’t come out picture perfect, they can still boost your mood, confidence, and sense of achievement.

“You’re not spending time ruminating over your thoughts, we know that rumination leads to depression and sad thoughts, if you’re doing something productive,” Pincus said. “And the nice thing about baking is that you have such a tangible reward at the end and that can feel very beneficial to others.”

And that’s not all! Additionally, baking can help express one’s feelings and foster connections. “It can be helpful for people who have difficulty expressing their feelings in words to show thanks, appreciation or sympathy with baked good,” said Susan Whitbourne, professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts.

“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,” added Julie Ohana, a licensed clinical social worker and culinary art therapist. “I think it could border on an unhealthy issue when it replaces communication in the traditional sense, but if it’s done along with communication, it is absolutely a positive and really wonderful thing.”

However, baking isn’t an activity that is completely stress-free or compatible with everyone. If whipping up a sweet treat in the kitchen is something that stresses a person out, they lose all of the benefits that come with it.

“If someone has a phobia with cooking and baking, it’s not for them. It’s better for people who start off with a baseline comfort level in the kitchen,” says Ohana. Pincus adds, agreeing, “As long as it’s not stressful and not obligatory, it can be beneficial for all.”

To maintain baking as stress-free an experience as possible, avid bakers recommend preparing for it beforehand. Organizing your area, choosing a recipe wisely, and reading it before starting prevent you from getting frustrated with clutter or getting surprised by a step when you reach the end of a recipe, like chilling the bake overnight, or realizing you don’t have a crucial ingredient.

Printing the recipe or propping up your cookbook is another useful tip that can help you to avoid getting annoyed unlocking your phone with dirty hands every time you need a refresher on the recipe. It’s all about organization and thinking about your baking process beforehand.

That’s it, folks! Happy baking.