The Therapeutic Power of Cooking for Mental Health

In today’s busy world, we can often grab meals out of convenience and accessibility rather than cooking something healthy. For many people with mental health challenges, cooking can feel daunting. But for me, it’s a personal passion.

Why Cooking Matters to Me:

Cooking is an incredibly comforting and therapeutic experience for me. It’s a space where I can be creative and express myself. I’m allowed to unmask, unwind, and focus. It let’s me engage in a mindful activity that helps quiet the racing thoughts and noise in my mind. It creates a sense of calm and relaxation. Especially after a long busy day.

For me, it’s not just about a necessity for satiation. It’s an opportunity for me to express self-care. It’s my time. Moments when I can reflect on the day or simply silence the inner chaos. It’s something I do for me, and that is rewarding.

As a person with Autism, I thrive off repetitive, structured, and familiar routines. Things like, chopping, searing, and stirring can make me feel grounded, even joyful. Cooking helps me to regulate my emotions and slow down all the inner turmoil. It’s such an engaging experience from beginning to end. Especially for a neurodivergent individual who craves stimulation and needs mental clarity and peace.

The Emotional Connection to Food

I’ve always gravitated toward comfort foods. The ones I’ve loved for years. Even though I can be hesitant to try new things, I’ve noticed that my palate has gradually expanded.

Still, I’m a sucker for comfort foods. Meals such as meat and potatoes, or spaghetti with sausage and peppers are what my tastebuds crave. They bring me back to simpler, and more secure times.

It’s just a pure feeling of nostalgia. For example, I’m obsessed with my late grandma’s meatballs. I watched her over the years, make them, fry them, and handle them with such delicate care, and above all, love. The moment I took a bite of that meatball; I’m flooded with wonderful memories. It’s rather amazing how food can do that to you. I now make them, and though they’ll never match up to hers, it still fosters that form of pure joy and happiness.

It’s like that scene in Ratatouille where the food critic Anton Ego takes a bite of Remy’s dish. He is instantly transported back to his childhood kitchen. Food not only fills your belly, it fills your heart.

Evolving My Relationship with Food:

Lately, I’ve been giving up on the comfort foods more, and opting for healthier options. The reason I’m doing this is not only to help my body physically, but more so mentally. I’ve been incorporating more veggies and trying new foods such as quinoa and legumes. I’m not giving up comfort food all together, but I’m trying to find balance. I’m learning to eat for more nutritional nourishment, and honoring how food affects my overall mental state.

Foods that are high in Omega-3 rich foods such salmon for example, is a great option for better brain health. Although I don’t like seafood at all, I’m trying other foods high in protein and low in carbs to reach and maintain a healthier lifestyle and feel more energized and mentally clear.

The connection between food and mental health is so intertwined. Eating nutritious meals can make increase our mood, energy, and motivation. On the other hand, eating high processed or fatty foods can greatly increase our depression. It can also leave us feeling sluggish, and we may feel unmotivated to do anything. Especially cook.

When we’re feeling down and out. There really isn’t much strength left in us to get up and do things productively. Even thinking about doing such tasks can seem incredibly overwhelming. But I always know that when I get up to walk my dog, I’ll feel better. I become more appreciative in the end. Same goes with food.

Helpful Tips for Mindful Cooking:

Create a fun playlist for cooking time
Prep ingredients in advance for a less overwhelming experience
Try sensory-friendly foods and tools
Cook one comfort meal a weak that sparks some joy
Start with a simple go-to dish you already love (for me it’s grilled chicken, veggies, and rice).

Conclusion:

Food genuinely makes me a happier person. I thrive off having a tasty meal. I get giddy and light up when I see a spread of chacuterie. It might be because I was raised in a family of Italian food connoisseurs. But food has always been more than just nourishment to our family, it’s rather a way of connecting, sharing stories, and engaging in meaningful conversations. I grew up knowing that good food, and good company where a key to happiness.

I’m still learning to make healthier choices, and it is quite a process. But I know just how vital and beneficial it is to my mental health. I used to go to the gym every day, even though I dreaded it, but I’d feel so much motivated and lively afterwards. Same goes for healthy foods. Once you get into a routine, it makes you feel so much better about yourself. I just must keep reminding myself that it’s worth it. For my mind, body, and soul.