At 3 Little Birds, we’re big believers that food, mood and movement are closely linked, and when all three areas work together, you can see a huge improvement in your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. One can be forgiven for not realising that your actions in one area of your life can have a massive impact on other areas - but it’s true.
We know that not everyone is Nigella in the kitchen
In this post, we’re going to look a bit more closely at the link between food and mood. We already know that eating healthier, nutritious food can give you a bit of a boost, but the link doesn’t stop there. How you prepare your food and who you’re eating with can also leave you feeling good. It’s not just what you eat, but how you eat it.
We know that not everyone is Nigella in the kitchen, so here’s a piece of advice we’ve taken from Bob Ross’ ‘The Joy of Painting’ - there are no mistakes, just happy accidents. If you keep repeating this mantra even as you drop your flour on the floor and turn your hob up just a little too high, everything will turn out okay.
Whether you’re a by-the-book-cook who measures everything out perfectly before you even glance at the oven, or you’re more of a wing-it-and-see type of chef, here’s how spending time in the kitchen can boost your mood.
Cooking with your family
Is there a family recipe that has you watering at the mouth every time you go home? Well, stop letting your parents do the grunt work and get into the kitchen with them! Teaming up with your parents and siblings in the kitchen for a big family occasion is not only more efficient, but also really rewarding.
Host a dinner party for your friends
It’s easy to want to close yourself off when you’re feeling down, but seeing your friends is sure to put a smile on your face. Invite some of your friends around for dinner and ask everyone to bring a dish.
This is a great way to boost your mood as you’ll get to try all sorts of different dishes, the act of sharing and giving to others is a proven way to make yourself feel happier, and because everyone has brought their own dish, you won’t be stuck with all the washing up! Win-win-win.
Cooking to some bloody good tunes
One of the best parts of being in the kitchen is being able to belt out a tune and have a little boogie while you’re at it. Whether you’re singing about what you’re cooking å la Andy LoRusso (The Singing Chef!) or you’re singing along to your own feel-good tunes, you’ll end up with a delicious meal and a smile on your face. The British Academy for Sound Therapy have found that singing can improve your mood, reduce stress, and can even improve your immune system, so what’s stopping you?
Surprising people with homemade baked goods - the best kind of surprise!
We weren’t kidding before when we said that giving to others can be beneficial to your own mental health.
Acts of altruism (that’s selfless acts you do for others) have been shown to lessen the effects of depression, lower stress levels, increase your self-esteem, lower your blood pressure, and can even lead to you living a longer, happier life.
With this in mind, whipping up a batch of brownies and taking them over to a friend, family member, or neighbour is a fantastic way to put your time in the kitchen to good use. They’ll feel good, you’ll feel good, and everyone gets a brownie. You can’t lose!
And there you have it - four easy ways to boost your mood and make some food! We’d love to hear your thoughts on what gets you smiling in the kitchen, so whether it’s a song that has you singing into the whisk or a dish that fills your heart (and stomach) with joy, let us know!
Written by Leigh Campbell (creative) Marketing Volunteer
References
Cleveland Clinic (2020) Why Giving Is Good for Your Health.
Cooper, L. (2020) Your Healing Voice - The benefits of singing for health and wellbeing. Retrieved from https://www.britishacademyofsoundtherapy.com/singing-for-health/