Using Baking, Cake Decorating Or Art As Therapy

According to Psychologists, baking, cake decorating or art can be a great form of therapy.

I think we can all agree that 2020, has been the most unusual and eventful year ever! A year that has brought so much uncertainty, forced us to put things in our life into prospective, brought a great value of love for our families and those we love. How are you coping?

Taking time to do something creatively therapeutic during this time, maybe the answer you need. There are many ways to do this; it maybe creative writing, music, singing, dancing or drama. However, I will be focussing on baking, cake decorating and art, since these are the areas I know well.

Cake Decorating - Beauty Among the Brokenness. Creating allows you to bring a voice to what can sometimes can be difficult to express vocally

A little equipment and you to can use baking, cake decorating or art as therapy. While it may not be a cure for serious mental health issues, but learning to express yourself and emotions through art, baking cookies, cakes, breads, other goodies or maybe venturing for first time into cake decorating can help you to ease stress, anxiety or depression.

As a creative - With a passion for painting, a cake designer and a teacher of baking and cake decorating, specifically to those coming from difficult circumstances. I have understood for many years, that the process of creating, designing, baking and cake decorating is a very soothing, healing medium and an amazing form of self-care. Even mental health experts attest to the therapeutic benefits

Art - Sketching, art journaling, making collages, sculpting with clay are all ways that can be used to process complex feelings to find relief

Why Being Creative Helps?

Here are 6 reasons…

1. Time To Move At A Slower Pace

When creating, whether it be baking or painting, it is not something that can be rushed. It involves being fully present and engaged in one task rather than multitasking or reacting to external distractions. Most definitely with baking it requires precision, following step-by-step instructions, reasoning to bake a successful end result Both cake decorating and painting require attention, creativity and coordination. All of these factors together bring a level of ‘focused-relaxation’, time to take things slowly and move at a slower pace, this is soothing for many people.

Being creative is a mindful activity, which allows you to focus on the here and now; which can help to reduce stress and anxiety.

2. It Produces A Calming Effect

Repetitive motions of doing sweeping brush strokes, colouring in, kneading, mixing, measuring and cake decorating causes the body to reach a state of ‘flow’, a place that many would describe as being in the zone. Flow increases self-connection and self-esteem, creating high emotional capacity.

3. The Sensory Input Is Uplifting

Touch, smell, sight, and (of course) taste are all engaged by baking and cake decorating. Using your hands to add intricate details to a cake. The vast amazing delicious scents and aromas that fill the air as you prepare baking ingredients. It is a multi-sensory experience - the citrus scent of zested lemon, the festive aroma of cinnamon, chocolate or the creamy and exotic smell of vanilla, that brings about a sense of warmth and comfort.

The multi-sensory aspect of baking can be very therapeutic for some people, especially if they have strong positive memories associated with baking those items. Our episodic memory, which is also called autobiographical memory is very connected to how we process and feel about situations in life. Nostalgia can be a big mood-booster when you are feeling down. There are all kinds of neurochemicals that are released, when you eat or smell baking that triggers fond memories from your past.

This notion also applies to art. Art is not just pleasure for your eyes. It evokes all of your senses from visualising the brilliant spectrum of colours, blending colours together the myriad of textured materials used to produce art, the sounds you hear as you create art; there is a reason why Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) has become so popular.

Art has a scientifically-proven benefits on your brain. There is a deep reason why artwork is displayed in almost every integral place - our homes, workplace, vacant spaces and hospitals. It is more than just making us feel happy, relaxed, or calm, it can do wonders for our mental health and overall well being.

Baking - (Sticky Toffee Pudding) Can be a time of relaxation, time out, sense of achievement, bring a lift of self-esteem or be comforting

4. It Creates A Safe Place

The world is filled with judgement and stigma, so creating a place to allow people to open up or ask for help is essential for mental health and well-being,

In my own experience I have found having a safe place to be really important. Creating art, baking and cake decorating creates a safe place where you do not have to apologise for being who you are, what you are experiencing or what you have done. When you feel a sense of love and confidence instead of regretful and defensive; you feel less afraid. When you feel less afraid, you are more capable of processing and working towards change more freely.

Over the years, teaching baking and cake decorating I often wondered what benefit doing a simple practical act such as baking or cake decorating could have on those that were in an emotional fragile place. However that act of baking, creating, sharing and listening, creates a culture of trust that is forgiving and welcomes openness. Giving people the strength to be courageous and vulnerable, using their voice through what they create or verbally share. Providing a creative safe place for non-judgemental expression is a simple concept, but has a big impact.

Creating a safe place for others to just be

5. Time To Spend With Others

You may not be able to spend time so freely with others at the moment, unless they are in your same household.

Yes, it good to experience time alone in peace and quiet in the kitchen or creating art. However, it is great when you have someone or others to share the joys of baking and decorating, doing art together. Time to work together a time with family or friends to create beautiful memories, it is an excellent way to enjoy each others company and have fun at the same time.

6. Sharing With Others

Creating art or producing a decorated cake, lends itself to sharing it with others. Something created with love to give to someone, will make you feel good. It makes others happy, boosts your confidence, provides a sense of belonging and purpose. A handmade artist gift or delicious cake (even long after it has been eaten) will be remembered and will brighten your day as well as someone else’s.

Happy creating and baking!