I’d love to see a therapist who specializes in Culinary Therapy.
Apparently, such a subset in therapy services really does exist and is proclaimed highly effective during our current pandemic season. Go figure.
I always knew emotional eating was a way of coping, as food has been a go-to when I’m happy, upset, worried, or just bored.
For example, last night my phone screamed for me to “Take Shelter” for a tornado alert. The warning siren from the fire station echoed the alert so I crawled out of bed (why these alerts always happen at night, I don’t know.)
The wind howled furiously whipping hail wildly at my windows and roof. Before heading to the basement, I grabbed my phone and trusty battery-operated lantern that I keep at my bedside. Once downstairs, I sat down to text friends and check on each other by sending Wizard of Oz gifs of Auntie Em’s house taking off into the sky.
A little bit of fun goes a long way.
Eventually, I emerged from the basement when the coast was clear and found myself standing in my kitchen eating an entire sleeve of saltine crackers. Why? Culinary Therapy I suppose. To be fair, that was probably, eating therapy.
Today, CNN had an article titled, Baking During a Pandemic Can Reduce Stress and Provide Comfort, by Kristen Rogers. The story is about a gal who while in quarantine has been baking bread every day for a month. I like bread, don’t get me wrong, but that’s a lot of dough for just her and her quarantined boyfriend.
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Insight Magazine also featured an article titled, From Cooking to Therapy by Michael M. Kocet, Ph.D. in which he describes how he is “pioneering a new way to facilitate healing—culinary therapy—and his students love it.”
According to Dr. Kocet, “No matter what’s going on in a person’s life or who they are, eating is mandatory. Some people use food as a crutch—a comfort to deal with painful emotions or a struggle. For others, it’s a source of family gatherings and a peaceful hobby. And still, others use it for simple survival, nothing more, nothing less.”
Dr. Kocet believes culinary therapy can improve mindfulness. How about this for a class, Dr. Kocet teaches a course called, Chocolate Meditation. I’d get an A in that class, for sure.
I also found an online magazine, Verily, that boasts, Cooking With Your Heart: Culinary Therapy.
So there you have it, friends.
During these uncertain times food, cooking, and eating are therapy for our souls.
Eating all day or during odd times during a pandemic is perfectly normal. That’s good news. We could all use a little bit more of that.
So what’s my word of encouragement for you this week?
Stay positive. Fear not and stand tall (around the refrigerator?)
Excuse me, my own Culinary Therapy is calling. There’s a cookie dough recipe with my name on it.
~ Janet