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It's no wonder some people turn to the kitchen when they are emotionally unwell. As it turns out, cooking is more than just a hobby. Several studies show that it is good for mental well-being.

For anyone passionate about cooking or baking, the kitchen is a the perfect place to forget about the rest of the world and do what they love. For others, cooking is an outlet after an exhausting week at work or a heartbreak, but it is not only a random activity. Some professionals recommend it as therapy.

While more quantitative research is needed in the field, culinary therapy is recommended by some psychotherapists as a form of rehabilitative and therapeutic activity for various psychosocial outcomes. Here are some known benefits

It improves emotional well-being

In a study from 2016, researchers found that cooking as a creative activity can make people happier. They found that after two weeks of having small, everyday projects in the kitchen, the participants felt more enthusiastic about their pursuits the following day. These small, creative projects like baking or cooking made participants feel more relaxed and happier in their daily lives. 

It helps focus

In a 2022 study, researchers found that participants in a seven-week food literacy cooking program had boosted confidence and concentration. This is because cooking and baking allow a person to be goal-oriented. 

It is an opportunity to connect

Cooking for other people is more than an altruistic act since it makes more than one person happy. Culinary arts therapist Michal AviShai explains that since food is a survival need, being able to provide food to others also fulfills the primal need of a person to help others.