The therapeutic effects of baking

Even before the pandemic, I was keenly aware of how baking can help buoy your mental health and can also relieve stress, and how the act of baking for others can likewise be good for you. Since lockdowns began over a year ago, this act of self-care has proved even more important, and I am far from the only person who has noticed. Jessica Benjamin has also investigated the beneficial effects of baking during lockdown, writing in The Evening Standard about how the hobby has not only helped people cope with stress, it has also sparked new businesses.

Benjamin and I are in good company – Rachel Cooke explains in The Guardian that at the one-year anniversary of lockdown, her cravings for sweets and treats that she hasn’t eaten in ages has only become stronger. (Since I just returned from a trip to Dairy Queen to get an ice cream cone, I can certainly relate to that.) There is science to back up our hunger for sugary snacks: carbohydrates act as a catalyst for your body to produce serotonin, a hormone that stabilizes our mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness.

It is not just the sugar giving us a boost, however, the act of baking itself can be calming, allowing us to create a Zen-like state as we stir a batter or relieve stress through aggressively kneading dough. For some this newfound hobby has turned into a fledgling career.  Melissa Hall, founder and head baker of Jasmine’s Flour, is one such person. ‘It was the first time people had so much free time on their hands,’ she explains. ‘For many of us, lockdown gave us a moment to explore our creativity, and in some cases [baking] helped us overcome mental health challenges. 

Photo of Mallorcas from Food52 by Bryan Ford