Today, I want to talk about something a little different but incredibly close to my heart: the magical intersection of cooking and mental well-being. We’ve all heard the saying that “food is medicine,” but what if I told you that the act of preparing food itself can be a soothing balm for the soul?
As someone who has spent countless hours in the kitchen, I’ve come to realize that cooking isn’t just about nourishing our bodies. It’s also about nourishing our minds. Whether you’re meticulously chopping vegetables, watching a pot come to a rolling boil, or pulling a freshly baked loaf of bread out of the oven, the kitchen is a place where we can engage all our senses and focus on the present moment.
During the pandemic, things were so uncertain and stressful, but I found peace in my kitchen. It was my safe space where I could forget about everything and just cook. The first day of lockdown I made a simple omelet – easy to make with just a few ingredients. But when I paired it with a glass of wine, it felt like a little haven of normalcy in the midst of all the chaos. Even though it was nothing fancy, the omelet was a source of comfort, reminding me how food can make everything feel a little bit better during tough times.
Emotional Well-Being Through Cooking
During the extended period of lockdowns, I challenged myself to improve my cooking skills. I tried out more complex recipes such as coq au vin and homemade penne Pomodoro sauce. The process of finding all the ingredients (which wasn’t easy during lock down at first), marinating the chicken, and perfecting the sauce gave me a total mental break. It was a way to escape from the constant bad news and concentrate on creating something from scratch. Each step in the recipe required attention and carefulness, which allowed me to temporarily put my worries and anxieties aside. This type of mindfulness became a form of emotional self-care that I wouldn’t have been able to achieve otherwise.
Mastering the Basics: The Rice Revelation
But the real turning point in my kitchen journey, oddly enough, came from mastering a staple: rice. For years, I struggled with cooking rice that was neither mushy nor crunchy. During the pandemic, I finally took the time to get it right. Measuring the water precisely, rinsing the grains thoroughly, and finding the optimal cooking time were small but empowering victories. When I finally made that perfect batch of fluffy, individual grains, the sense of accomplishment was immense. It was a fundamental skill, yet it symbolized how much control and proficiency I’d gained in my own kitchen.
A Sense of Personal Satisfaction
Each dish I prepared brought a sense of personal satisfaction beyond just nourishing myself. In a time when so much seemed out of my control, being able to create something, whether simple or complex, felt rewarding. Sharing these meals with loved ones, even if only virtually, amplified the joy and connection that cooking brought into my life.Â
So yes, cooking during the pandemic was not just about food; it was about emotional well-being, personal growth, and connecting with others in a time of isolation. It provided me with small but meaningful triumphs, and those triumphs have been vital for my mental health.
