But cooking isn’t just a feel-good activity – it’s also a proven stress-reliever. A whopping 78% of poll participants reported finding the act of cooking to be a calming activity, with 65% of respondents naming it as their go-to source of comfort. And let’s not forget the mental health benefits – 89% of those polled prioritized mental wellbeing when it came to cooking.
In The News:
Beef fat makes a triumphant return to a balanced diet
Fortunately, my wise Daily Herald food editor convinced me to keep from limiting my column’s scope and named it: Lean and Lovin’ It.
We’re still getting mixed messages about dietary cholesterol and whether we should be concerned about it. We’re also getting mixed messages about saturated fats consumed as part of a daily food plan. There is now the real possibility that our fear of saturated fats was severely overblown.
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Remarks on: Getting Back Into The Kitchen Could Relieve Stress
Dr. Andreas Michaelides, Ph.D., a renowned psychologist and chief of psychology at Noom, sheds light on the significance of cooking as a stress-relieving activity. According to a recent OnePoll survey, eight out of 10 people who regularly cook use food as a way to comfort themselves following a stressful day, with 65% using food to comfort others. The primary source of stress for Americans is work, with 40% reporting it as their primary source of stress, followed by their to-do list, which accounts for 32% of respondents.
Dr. Michaelides emphasizes the therapeutic nature of cooking, highlighting how it can provide a sense of focus, reflection, and creation. “It’s easy to find a task like cooking to be therapeutic and relaxing,” he says. “It’s a way to practice mindfulness and create something positive that nourishes both the ### and mind.”
The survey results underscore the importance of effective coping mechanisms, such as cooking a meal at home, in managing stress.
