Welcome to Baking Therapy!
I’m Emily, the Creator, Writer, and Baker behind Baking Therapy. I currently live in Germany with my darling husband, Stefan, and our little dog, Higgins. I’m originally from Las Vegas, NV where I went to culinary school in 2009.
What is Baking Therapy?
Baking Therapy is dedicated to anyone who wants to relax and have something to take their minds off life’s worries. On Baking Therapy I share easy recipes and discuss the value of doing something fun and creative for your mental health. My goal here is to build a supportive community for anyone struggling with anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness.
What Makes Baking Therapeutic?
It Pulls Your Focus
It takes all your mental energy to bake well. You need to concentrate on measuring ingredients, mixing things properly, and completing all the steps in the correct order. Baking is an exact science after all! With all these things you need to get right, you don’t have any other space in your head to worry, or be sad, or be anxious. It is not a cure-all, but it has certainly helped me quite a lot.
Its Physically Engaging
Baking gets your body moving! Sometimes anxiety or depression can make you feel stuck inside your head. Baking can help you get out of that hole and reconnect with your body. It can help you feel more present in your own space.
It Can Be Social
My favorite way of making friends is to bake something for them. Invite an acquaintance over for some coffee and cake, then before you know it you become best friends. You can also make something with your friends. You can teach them a new recipe or they can teach you something new. You can also make baked treats as gifts for your friends. It always feels good to give.
It Gives You A Sense of Accomplishment
It is extremely rewarding to complete a perfectly baked batch of cookies or a beautifully prepared cake. When you work hard on something it feels wonderful to see the results. Then you can celebrate your accomplishment by eating whatever you made. It’s the best hobby ever!
The Inspiration Behind Baking Therapy
My passion for baking has helped me through a lot of hardships in my life. I have lived with mental illness for most of my adult life. There were times when the only moments of peace and focus I could get were in the kitchen. I want to help others who could be going through similar experiences I went through. If I can help just one person, then this will all be worth the effort.
I am not a doctor and I have not had any training in mental health care. Baking Therapy is meant to share my own experiences living with mental illness and create a supportive community among peers. If you are struggling please go see a doctor or tell someone you trust that you need help. The hardest part of getting help is asking for it. So please be brave and help yourself to get better.
Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback please feel free to contact me.