Children cooking away stress … and COVID … this summer?
How do we help children cope with the pressures of today’s world? Is cooking really a way we can reduce stress?
When parents are asked what they want for their children, most would give the same answer: happiness. Of course, we all want our children to be happy — and with good reason. Happy kids are healthy kids. Mental health and wellbeing are fundamental to kids’ physical, educational, social, emotional and cognitive development. But unfortunately, many kids are struggling especially when it comes to anxiety especially in these times.
Chris Dickson, a psychologist from Youthrive suggests getting “back to basics and building a relationship with your child without technology”.
Getting back to the basics
At Explorer Camps, we believe getting back to basics could is as simple as getting our kids in the kitchen and experts agree with us. “We all have to eat each night and encouraging your child to help out in the kitchen provides a collective and connective time where children can get off their devices and be present with the family,” says Dickson. “Cooking is an excellent therapy activity for children struggling with anxiety or depression. It is a co-mindful experience that is not only a positive and celebratory process that brings people together, but your child must pay attention to the food.”
So, just like on camp aim to get your children back in to the kitchen … an outdoor kitchen is even better!
The Act of Cooking is Enjoyable
Cooking, especially when you have to follow a recipe and concentrate on the best results, is just like any other project children can undertake. According to the Journal of Positive Psychology, people who take on and complete small projects every day are more relaxed and happier. For children to enjoy the experience, they need to experiment with different food items. In short, engage in a cooking project where you experiment with different recipes.
During the week at summer camp, we do exactly this in our daily cooking sessions. Not only are they given guidance through demonstrations and recipes, but freedom to be creative using our outdoor cooking techniques. It’s amazing fun!
Cooking as a Creative Outlet
Cooking is one way to try different creative ideas children might be having. Baking and decorating a cup cakes, for instance, needs creativity. Cooking, according the Debbie Mandel’s Addicted to Stress, is a way to explore your creative side.
Control and anxiety might be causing your stress. When you get to choose the recipes you use, the method to use, and the decorations of the final result, you get enjoy the process. While at it, you forget your anxieties and stress becoming more relaxed in the process.
Explorer Camps has adopted the hit American TV show Chopped which focuses on fostering creativity and experimentation amongst participants. Groups of campers are first challenged to build their own outdoor cardboard box oven, then given ingredients that they can cook with. It’s up to the campers to create their own recipe and present the finalised and hopefully edible product to the judges.
Express Love through Cooking
Being a parent, cooking for your children lets you express and nurture love. This is especially a great avenue to express love if you find it challenging to communicate what you feel.
Cooking for others is an expression of selflessness. It can make people feel more connected to each other, and can boost self-esteem and confidence. Making others happy is directly linked to relieving stress.
Central to the world of Explorer Camps in Europe is the desire to create a warm, caring and positive community, and cooking plays a big part of this. Campers are able to express themselves through food, sharing their creations with others and bringing happiness to all those around them. It’s the perfect place for your child to get back to the basics this summer and reconnect through cooking.
