How Baking Benefits Your Mental Health

Mike Ricordati joined Columbus, Ohio’s WBNS in 2003 and continues to serve the station as director of content and imaging, in addition to hosting a daily three-hour sports talk show. Away from work, Mike Ricordati is an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness. In his free time, he also enjoys baking pizza, bread, and desserts.

There are a number of hobbies individuals may pursue that can benefit their mental health, including baking. Baking provides individuals with a sense of control as they manage the exact science of measuring ingredients and timing various stages of a specific recipe.

The act of baking can be very effective for relieving stress, particularly when it comes processes such as kneading dough. Other mental health benefits range from an increase in self-confidence following a well-made recipe to elevated moods associated with creative activities. Furthermore, baking is an interest that can be shared with many people, from fellow bakers to the people baked goods can be shared with, providing bakers with opportunities to make new friends and enjoy a sense of community.

For individuals who have never baked before, there are a number of simple recipes to get started with. Brownies, shortbread cookies, and homemade hamburger buns are just a few examples of the many baked goods that require very few ingredients and steps to complete.