Just in time for the holidays, scientists have discovered that, yes, cooking and baking can boost your mood. A little creativity in the kitchen every day can go a long way towards happiness and satisfaction in the bustle of daily life.

“The study, published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, suggests that people who frequently take a turn at small, creative projects report feeling more relaxed and happier in their everyday lives. The researchers followed 658 people for about two weeks and found that doing small, everyday things like cooking and baking made the group feel more enthusiastic about their pursuits the next day.”

“Baking can help boost one’s mood by providing small tasks to focus on in a manner similar to meditating. In order to put together a good meal, cooks have to be constantly in the moment, adding ingredients, adjusting the heat of the stove and tasting their food to make sure everything will come out alright—all of which can be helpful techniques in treating some forms of mental illness”, wrote Huma Qureshi for The Guardian in 2013.

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