Cooking doesn’t have to be a task that is dreaded every night. In fact, cooking is seen by many people as one of the most cathartic activities that you can do. It’s all about how you go about it.
Obviously, if you don’t know what you’re doing and have to cook a 5-course meal for 15 people in a limited amount of time, it’s not going to be a very soothing experience.
Cooking should be a gradual learning process which is enjoyed and done with intent and joy. Your food will taste as good as the energy you put into it!
Here are some reasons why cooking can be so good for your state of mind and encourages stress relief.
It Actives The Same Part of The Brain as Meditation
When you meditate the brain goes into a very specific and unique state of consciousness. Many people report feelings of an expanded awareness, and inner peace.
Several studies have been done over the years which have looked into the actual science behind meditation and what exactly occurs by conducting MRI scans. The results showed that test subjects who meditated more had greater amounts of dense gray matter in their scans in the areas of the brain which are associated with emotion.
When people are focused on a task such as cooking, their awareness is centered on a single task at hand rather than in a flurry of taking in all of the information around them of the modern world.
By cooking, you can not only achieve the task of creating a delicious meal to nourish your body, but you can also achieve a peaceful state of being by bridging the mind and body.
It Nourishes Your Body Better Than Processed or Fast Food
Eating a diet of whole foods which are prepared with intention and fresh ingredients is much more nourishing for the human body that artificially produced unnatural foods.
Studies show that people with higher levels of sugar and certain chemicals found in processed foods have higher levels of stress, and obesity-related diseases.
Cooking your food instead of buying it pre-packaged can have a considerably positive impact on your life.
It Brings People Together
In many cultures cooking and serving a meal to a family is the ultimate ceremonial tradition. Eating as a group creates a sense of belonging and community. Humans who have community are proven to be much happier people.
Conversation and a sense of belonging in a person reduces depression and isolation. Families which eat together every night report 50% less conflict and have stronger relationships among them.
The French find eating meals with their families so important that many of them come home from work or school during their lunch breaks just to be able to eat together.
