Script

slide 1 - Attention-Grabber:

Imagine the warm smell of freshly baked cookies filling your kitchen. Mixing ingredients and watching dough transform into something delicious isn't just satisfying; it can help reduce stress.

slide 1 - Reason to Listen:

College life is stressful, and finding healthy ways to relax is important. Baking offers a creative, hands-on way to de-stress while giving you a tasty reward.

slide 1 - Establishing Your Credibility:

I've always found baking to be a great way to destress, and after looking into the psychology behind it, I discovered that many studies support its mental health benefits.

slide 1 - Thesis Statement:

Baking is more than just making food; it's a therapeutic activity that helps reduce stress, encourages mindfulness, and boosts creativity.

slide 2 - Preview Statement:

With this in mind, I will discuss three main ways baking can improve your mental well-being: baking reduces stress, promotes mindfulness and relaxation, and boosts creativity.

Slide 3:intro

Let's start with how baking helps reduce stress.

slide 3: i Control in distress

i. Baking follows a clear process that creates stability. Following a recipe with straightforward steps can bring comfort when life feels chaotic.

slide 3: ii Control in distress

According to Kaiser Permanente, "Baking is an opportunity to clear our heads and de-stress." When you focus on baking, you are "more present in the moment and less focused on stressors of the past or future." Completing a baking project from start to finish gives a sense of achievement.

slide 3: i Satisfaction

According to Nicole Farmer from the National Library of Medicine, "finishing a baking project boosts self-confidence and satisfaction." Finishing an easy or hard recipe to make tasty food is a rewarding experience. It encourages people to try new ideas in the kitchen. When they see and taste the results, it boosts their confidence.

slide 3: C. Internal Summary:

Baking is not just about making food. It helps people relax by giving them control, a sense of achievement, and a fun way to be creative.

slide 4: Intro

Beyond reducing stress, baking also promotes mindfulness and relaxation.

slide 4: Subpoint 1 i : Focus

Baking needs careful attention. It involves measuring flour, stirring batter, and following steps. This focus helps clear the mind and distracts from stress. Concentrating on each task helps people stay present, reducing distractions and negative thoughts.

slide 4: Subpoint 1 ii :

According to Farmer, "the repetitive actions of baking, like kneading dough or whisking batter, create a calming effect similar to meditation." This focus helps people relax and feel more at peace, as the rhythm of these motions can provide a soothing, almost meditative experience.

slide 4: Subpoint 2: Peace in your senses

Baking involves many senses. You can smell fresh bread, feel the soft texture of the dough, and enjoy the oven's warmth. The smells of vanilla and cinnamon add to the experience. Tasting the final product brings satisfaction and helps you stay focused on the moment.

slide 4: Internal Summary:

slide 5: Intro

Finally, baking boosts creativity.

slide 5: subpoint 1

According to Gold from For Creative Girls, baking inspires creativity by encouraging people to push past basic recipes and make something new. Baking can be a fun and rewarding way to express creativity. Decorating a cake or inventing a new cookie flavor helps build confidence and problem-solving skills. The fun of making something delicious adds to the excitement of the process.

slide 5: subpoint 2 i:

Baking is more than just following a recipe. It allows people to be creative and express themselves. Trying new flavors, decorating cakes, or shaping cookies lets them use their imagination. Unlike other activities, baking gives a tasty and eye appealing reward, making it even more fun.

slide 5: subpoint 2 ii:

Gold said participating in creative activities like baking improves problem-solving skills and encourages new ideas. When you try to make something special, it can help you feel less stressed and more confident. Whether you change a recipe or create your own, baking can be really enjoyable.

slide 5: internal summary

Baking reduces stress and encourages mindfulness, allowing people to be creative, experiment with new ideas, and take pride in their work.

Slide 6: conclude

To conclude, baking may seem like a fun hobby, but it can be a powerful tool for reducing stress, promoting mindfulness, and boosting creativity.

Slide 6: Restate Thesis

Baking is more than just making food; it's a therapeutic activity that helps reduce stress, encourages mindfulness, and boosts creativity.

Slide 6: Restate Main Points

Today, we talked about how baking helps reduce stress by providing a sense of control and accomplishment, promotes mindfulness by requiring focus and engaging the senses, and boosts creativity by allowing people to experiment and express themselves.

Slide 7: Final Thought

The next time you feel stressed, consider baking something. Whether it is a batch of cookies or a loaf of bread, baking can help you relax, stay present, and have fun.

Thank you!