As a final year student, the continuous pressure of essay deadlines and never-ending mountains of reading can often trigger burnout: a state of feeling extremely overwhelmed. When a burnout arises, I often turn to good old-fashioned baking as a form of mindfulness, as it helps to alleviate the stress I am experiencing.

Take back control:

Following a simple recipe, such as brownies or cookies, can add an element of control which you may feel you are lacking in your own life, from weighing out the butter to kneading some dough. These peaceful and all-reliable rituals require less thought since the method is set out right in front of you. Even if the end result doesn’t look appealing, it is almost guaranteed to taste good.

Share it with the people you love:

One of the most mood-boosting elements of this process is certainly sharing your creations with friends. Knowing that you have made someone else happy is an altruistic achievement alongside the baking process. When we give with love to others, we form closer bonds, deeper community and happiness as a result.

Embrace the simplicity of a routine:

Whether I am at home or at university, I aim to bake at least once a week; it can even be something as simple as cookies. This is a realistic routine which anyone can fit around their working schedule. In fact, the University of Otago conducted a study, asking 658 students to keep a diary of their emotions and activities over two weeks. The results demonstrated that students who participated in creative activities such as baking had a greater sense of happiness and mental wellbeing than those who did not. Wellbeing is crucial, and activities such as baking are a great way to incorporate it into your daily life.

Take a break from social media:

This therapeutic element of baking could root from the way one removes oneself from the world momentarily, or more specifically, from the stress of social media. When gadgets are instead replaced with the simple comfort of a cookbook, this somehow makes the mind feel a lot lighter. Focusing on this simple and enjoyable task enables a retreat from the overwhelming world of work, whether you are a final year student like me or already within the working world.

Still social distancing? Try virtual baking:

Baking both solo and with others is just as therapeutic. Since social distancing has made it difficult to bake with others, it has not made it impossible. I’ve found that two great ways to bake with friends involve either socially distanced baking or virtual baking over facetime. Both activities provide the crucial tools needed for wellbeing. With most ingredients being cheap and easy to buy from the supermarket, I would certainly recommend baking as both an enjoyable and much-needed break from a potential burnout.

Here are some recipes I have been using:

Cookies: https://www.bakingmad.com/recipe/copycat-millie-s-cookies

Brownies: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/best-ever-chocolate-brownies-recipe

Author:

Catrin is a final year student at the University of Birmingham, studying English. She is currently coordinating writing workshops for young people alongside her editing work.

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