Dopamine Delights: How Cooking Sparks Joy and Motivation!

Author: Dr. Sangeetha Kalabhairav

Have you ever found yourself sobbing at the ice cream point, lost in your heart-wrenching sorrows, or enjoying your spicy, tangy, mouth-watering Pani Puris from the street-side Bhaiyaji? No doubt, eating seems to be a therapy to feel that sense of well-being.

When we were young, we used to feel happy joining our hands with our mothers or grandmothers while making those spiral chaklis, papads, or sweets, and feel thrilled when we got those perfect shapes. So, cooking can be pretty fun as well as a great time spent with near and dear ones.

According to some experts, cooking can not only boost our confidence but also increase concentration. It makes one’s soul happy because, in the end, one feels happier and contented. Cooking can be good for our emotional well-being; it helps relieve stress, builds self-confidence, and puts all those negative thoughts out of our minds as we focus on the ingredients and preparation to bring out the best dish.

It’s more of a meditation. When cooking, we must be constantly focused, measuring ingredients, stirring, adjusting spices and consistency, and monitoring the cooking process. All of these can be helpful techniques in keeping our minds off negative things. “As a surgeon, I relate it to my operation theatre and the surgery I perform on a day-to-day basis, involving magnificent tools, prior preparation, and a lot of concentration.”

There is a saying, “Preparation is key in both cooking and surgery. Skills generally come from practice and experience, as in ‘practice makes perfect.’ In both, one thing is common: everyone notices how well the dish is presented on a plate, just like how a surgeon can give a good scar under the knife to the patient.

Cooking is an art. Ingredient selection is an art to master, as the ultimate delicacy is the combination of our mindful, skillful selection of these ingredients. Trying out your recipes with the aroma of spices can be calm and soothing as it boosts mental health, creativity, and happiness.

Cooking for oneself offers plenty of satisfaction and intricate delicacies to try out. Still, when you cook for others, there is an added benefit: it connects you with them and helps you feel like you’re providing a much-needed service. Time spent in the kitchen isn’t only for a delicious meal for you and your loved ones to enjoy; it also triggers the pathways in your brain that enjoy rewards. Your brain releases dopamine, a feel-good hormone that helps you feel motivated and focused.

During the COVID pandemic lockdowns and social distancing, we witnessed people resorting to nostalgic activities such as cooking, cleaning, and baking. From the common man to celebrities, everyone tried their hands to demonstrate their skills and posted them on social media.

Culinary activities, initially considered a necessity during the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown globally, turned out to be a recreational activity over time and began to function as a kit in improving people’s psychological well-being.

Cooking activities have been discussed in much psychology and health literature as well. Staying physically active and maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet will do wonders for your health and mental well-being. Cooking is an easily available, delightful, and healthy kit to manage one’s stress, which anyone and everyone can engage in. You can try simple recipes you like and work your way to more delicacies as you progress and master your skills.

Someone has rightly said, “Eating is a necessity, but cooking is an art. Cooking is a journey of flavors where every ingredient tells its own story.”