SEAHO Report - Summer 2017 - 38

SEAHO Features
around us without ever saying a word. We can express feelings of thankfulness, sympathy or love; when there
are no words to express an emotion, a baked good can say it all.
Meditative Quality
The concept of "mindfulness" is becoming increasingly popular, especially as research continues to show that
different forms of meditation boosts happiness and reduces stress, but if you're like us, yoga isn't your favorite,
although it does offer its benefits. Instead, we found a different method of focus and concentration - it just
happens to involve measuring cups instead of yoga mats. Any simple and repetitive activity that requires your
whole attention can have a calming, meditative effect. The process of measuring flour, whisking eggs or folding
dough allows the mind to be present but not in a strenuous way.
Donna Pincus, associate professor of psychological and brain sciences at Boston University, says, "Baking
requires a lot of full attention. You have to measure, focus physically on rolling out dough. If you're focusing
on smell and taste, being present with what you're creating, that act of mindfulness in that present moment can
also have a result in stress reduction" (Thomson, 2017).
Julie Ohana, a licensed medical social worker and culinary art therapist, agreed that baking requires mental
presence: "Baking is thinking step-by-step and following the specifics of the here and now, but it's also thinking
about recipes as a whole, the dish as a whole, what are going to do with it, who it's going to, what time are you
sharing it, so baking is a really good way of developing that balance of the moment and the bigger picture"
(Thomson, 2017).
Locus of Control
In our field, there's quite a bit we cannot control - facilities issues, student crises, we've seen it all - so it's
important to focus on what we can control. Baking is a way to turn chaotic energy into something constructive.
Baking is a science, and we control the elements: number of eggs, oven temperature, KitchenAid speed,
tablespoons of vanilla. There's no recipe for life, but there are tons for chocolate chip cookies.
Creative Expression
While baking is a science, there is also room for creative license. More often than not, we find that baking
opens our creative channels; it stimulates our imaginations, which sometimes leads to solving that problem or
thinking of a new idea that just wasn't there before. Baking provides a springboard for self-expression, selfdiscovery and other breakthroughs.
Decorating cupcakes, glazing bread, piping cookies and tinting frosting are all artistic components of baking.
"Psychologists have found a strong connection between creative expression and overall wellbeing" so for your
own mental health, add a peanut butter swirl to your brownie batter (Thomson, 2017).
All-Around Happiness
From feeling the texture of brown sugar to hearing the blender circulate to the smell of your final product,
senses are stimulated when you bake, which increases feel-good endorphins. One of the best things about
baking is that it makes us feel good, but we can also share, in turn making others happy. For us, baking is giving
- it gives us a sense of accomplishment; it makes us feel like we've done something good for the world by
increasing connection with other people.
If being in the kitchen is at all comforting to you, we encourage you to sift some flour - we think it will lift
some spirits.
Now, please excuse us while we go heat up our ovens.

SEAHO Report Summer 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SEAHO Report - Summer 2017